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— Community Leaders Gather at Event to Kick Off New Outreach Programs for Central
Massachusetts Residents —
WORCESTER, Mass., January 16, 2006 — Last Friday night, Worcester-area
political, business and philanthropic leaders joined Fallon Clinic physicians at the unveiling
of significant expansion plans for Fallon Clinic Foundation, the charitable arm
of Fallon Clinic. The event, held at Mechanics Hall and attended by nearly 200 guests,
highlighted several new community service programs that will strengthen neighborhood
schools and local government, restore vacant lots and old parks, and give back to
returning war veterans.
“For nearly 20 years, the foundation has been addressing some of our community’s
most pressing issues, providing health education services and support groups to
help consumers make informed decisions about their care, funding innovative medical
research projects and scholarships for those pursuing careers in medicine, and offering
grants that ensure vulnerable, low-income families receive the care they need,”
said Baltej S. Maini, M.D., president of both Fallon Clinic Foundation and Fallon
Clinic and the evening’s host. “Our new initiatives are extending the
foundation’s good works to ensure the vitality of our community’s infrastructure.”
To strengthen local public schools, Fallon Clinic Foundation has already begun conducting
a series of highly successful customer service and organizational development workshops
to Worcester Public Schools personnel, which will be extended to City of Worcester
administrators as well. Future plans are for sponsorship of an integrated program,
“Healthy Body, Healthy Minds,” that will include playground renovations,
donations of office supplies and refurbished computers, scholarships and volunteer
teaching through Junior Achievement.
Mayor Timothy P. Murray lauded the foundation’s past efforts and expressed
his enthusiasm for its expanded public school initiatives: “Young people need
exercise for both their bodies and their minds. Not only is Fallon Clinic Foundation
expanding its educational support for students in our community in the form of scholarships
and much-needed technology and other supplies, but their volunteer efforts will
help our youth get the exercise they need by renovating school playgrounds —
they’re covering all the bases.”
The new Fallon Clinic Green Up program will target neglected areas near public schools
and clinic locations, turning them into beautiful, safe places to gather and play.
According to City Manager Michael V. O’Brien, “Fallon Clinic Foundation
has been doing a lot of quiet work behind the scenes for years. We’re pleased
to partner with the foundation in a project that will have such an uplifting, visible
impact on our city — and to know that the foundation is committed to assisting
in the maintenance of these improvements.”
Fallon Clinic Foundation will also be working closely with the office of U.S. Representative
James P. McGovern (D-Mass.) as well as the U.S. Army to coordinate the new programs
for veterans. Via the foundation, Fallon Clinic, the largest private multi-specialty
group practice in central Massachusetts, will become the state’s first healthcare
organization to participate in the Partnership for Youth Success Program, which
offers veterans a fresh employment start in their communities. In addition, the
foundation has forged a partnership with the U.S. Wounded Warrior Program to connect
disabled soldiers and their families with an array of services, including home renovations,
rehabilitation and job leads.
“Approximately 150 central Massachusetts veterans are discharged annually,
and they return home deserving the full support of their communities,” said
Rep. McGovern. “I am honored to work alongside Fallon Clinic Foundation and
Fallon Clinic as they take leadership roles in ensuring that veterans are welcomed
home warmly with the knowledge that their sacrifices are recognized and appreciated.”
The evening’s special guest speaker was Paul S. Grogan, president and CEO
of the Boston Foundation. Founded in 1915, the Boston Foundation was one of the
first community foundations and today is one of the largest, with an endowment of
more than $700 million. Grogan is coauthor (with Tony Proscio) of the book “Comeback
Cities.” Grogan shared his thoughts on the role of philanthropy in driving
revitalization in U.S. neighborhoods.
“I believe that the Fallon Clinic Foundation’s portfolio of programs
is a set of interconnected investments that build individual, environmental, organizational
and civic health,” Grogan said. “In a way that we have also been successful
in accomplishing in Boston, the Fallon Clinic Foundation is fulfilling the promise
of philanthropy by using its unique resources and position creatively and holistically
— money, expertise and volunteerism.”
Symbolic of the changes are a new name (the foundation was formerly Fallon Foundation),
logo and Web site for the non-profit organization, also revealed at the event. In
addition, the foundation is now solely operated by Fallon Clinic rather than jointly
operated by Fallon Clinic and Fallon Community Health Plan.
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