Athol Hospital receives IPRO Quality Award

ATHOL – Athol Hospital has been named a recipient of a 2024 IPRO Quality Award presented in recognition of its significant achievements in improving healthcare quality. Athol Hospital is a participant in the IPRO Hospital Quality Improvement Contract (HQIC) in collaboration with Healthcentric Advisors (HCA) and its stakeholders in the New England region. HQIC is a federal program focused on improving the quality of care provided to Medicare patients across the United States and is funded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS).

Athol Hospital was recognized for its ongoing commitment to patient safety and performance improvement and for having achieved “most improved performance.” Athol Hospital worked with HCA to achieve measurable quality improvement outcomes, working on a project to improve its CMS Star Rating from 2 stars to 5 stars.

President and CEO Rozanna Penney stated, “I am proud of our medical staff, nurses and employees for their commitment to quality care and for always striving to provide an exceptional patient experience. Athol Hospital is a gem and Heywood Healthcare remains deeply committed to ensuring patients in the North Central and North Quabbin regions continue to have access to outstanding patient-centered care locally."

“Recognizing providers that achieve measurable improvement in their quality outcomes is an important aspect of the work we do,” said IPRO CEO Ted Will. “It allows us to showcase the meaningful progress that is made through our partnership with provider organizations that implement evidence-based interventions into their Processes.”

Winchendon Food truck festival this Friday

WINCHENDON – The Winchendon Food Truck Festival will be held on Friday, June 21, 4-9 p.m. at the Grand Army of the Republic Park at 52 Murdock Ave., Winchendon. Admission to this event is free. The event is managed by WooTrucks.

The festival is an annual community-oriented, summer kickoff celebration. Easily accessible just off Route 12 or Route 202, this festival includes a multitude of food trucks, live musical performances from four bands in a ‘Battle of the Bands’ format and a beer garden pouring local craft favorites. There will also be dozens of area artists and makers tables displaying their wares in a scenic, historic park setting. Bring along a folding chair or layout a picnic blanket and enjoy the festivities.

WooTrucks is a food truck commissary, commercial kitchen, and base of operations for food trucks, caterers, bakers, and food entrepreneurs located at 67 Main Street, Boylston. The fully-permitted and approved facility to prepare food was established to foster a transparent, self-policing community of food trucks and food entrepreneurs practicing only the highest standards of customer service while maintaining strict adherence to health, sanitation and food codes. WooTrucks operates food truck festivals throughout the region and supplies food trucks to corporate clients, private businesses, breweries, academic institutions, city and town governments.

Ocean State Job Lothiring event in Athol

ATHOL – On June 20-21, Ocean State Job Log is hosting a hiring event at 34 select stores in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Jersey and and Pennsylvania.

During this event, OSJL will be conducting on-the-spot interviews for approximately 150 total full-time and part-time positions, including leadership, supervisory and seasonal roles.

The Ocean State Job Lot in Athol is among the participating stores.

Birders needed forhabitat work

ROYALSTON – Mount Grace is seeking the support of birding volunteers to visit Guiney Memorial Forest in Royalston. The Conservation Area is undergoing habitat management work to support birds. Volunteers will help gather information on bird diversity in the area using eBird. If interested, please contact May Grzybowski at Grzybowski@mountgrace.org.

American International College students named to Dean’s List

SPRINGFIELD – American International College (AIC) in Springfield announces that 470 students have earned a place on the Dean’s List for the spring 2024 semester. These full-time students have attained GPAs ranging from 3.3 to 4.0.

■Richard Kane of Orange, majoring in health science.

■Kianna Reilly of Petersham, majoring in nursing.

Founded in 1885, American International College (AIC) is a private, co-educational, doctoral granting institution located in Springfield, Massachusetts, comprising the School of Business, Arts and Sciences, the School of Education, and the School of Health Sciences. AIC supports and advances education, diversity, and opportunity for its students and the community.