Skilled Nursing Campaign Garners Media Attention

This week, the Alliance’s parent-provider skilled nursing campaign received national media coverage. The campaign seeks higher reimbursement rates from MassHealth for continuous skilled nursing services. Currently, agencies are unable to compete for nurses with area hospitals, and has led to a 37% nurse turnover rate, and nearly 24% of MassHealth-Authorized service hours going unfilled.

On Sunday, The Boston Globe featured a front-page story into the life of one of the parents caring for a child in the Massachusetts Continuous Skilled Nursing Program. Noelia Ferreira has gone over 100 days without a skilled nurse coming to her home to care for her daughter Abi. The article beautifully explains Noelia’s struggles to find adequate care and her commitment to keeping Abi safe at home.

As a result of this front page feature, WGBH invited Noelia and MA Pediatric Home Nursing Care Campaign founder, Angela Ortiz, to be interviewed by host, Jim Braude. Footage of the interview can be viewed here.

The campaign is leveraging this exposure to raise awareness and momentum in our fight for adequate reimbursement rates. Please visit www.mychildcantwait.com to write or call Governor Baker urging action.

2017 Star Awards, Innovation Showcase Winners Announced!

The Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts is pleased to announce its 2017 industry innovators and stars. Awardees will be celebrated during the Innovations Showcase & Star Awards on June 20 at the Granite Links Golf Club, Quincy.

The 2017 honorees include:


Aides of the Year

Gach Clamp, HHA, Emerson Hospital Homecare, Concord

Nancy Quinlan, CNA/HHA, Aberdeen Home Care, Danvers


Clinicians of the Year

David Ahearn, MSW, Baystate Home Health, Springfield

Carlton Jorge, RN, Community Nurse Home Care, Fairhaven


Managers of the Year

Arline McKenzie, Nursing Manager, Walpole Area VNA

Susan Proulx-Galster, Hospice & Palliative Care Program Manager, Circle Home, Lowell


Physician of the Year

David Prybyla, MD, Orthopaedics Surgical Associates, North Chelmsford


Home Care Champion

MA Pediatric Home Nursing Care Campaign


Legislator of the Year

Representative Aaron Vega (D-Holyoke)


Innovation Winners

HouseWorks, Newton:  Instant Hire Event

Southcoast VNA, Fairhaven:  Camp Angel Wings

Brockton VNA:  Lean Process Management


These awards celebrate the exceptional accomplishments of the everyday heroes in our midst who make incredible differences in the lives of their patients/clients and their families. Though there are too few opportunities to recognize all who deserve one, a STAR award brings well-deserved recognition for both the agency and the individuals.

Granite Links
Granite Links Golf Club

Please join us on June 20 as we salute and celebrate the best programs and people in our industry today!

Return to www.thinkhomecare.org.

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