Press release submitted by Rollstone Bank & Trust
Rollstone Bank & Trust today announced a donation of $50,000 to the UMass Memorial Health - HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital to expand local complementary care resources to cancer patients while increasing access to those most vulnerable populations that historically do not access life-saving preventative measures or subsequent cancer care. The grant will be paid over a period of five years as part of a long-term partnership.
"We can’t do enough to support people and families dealing with a cancer diagnosis, especially those in historically underserved communities," said Martin F. Connors, Jr., President & CEO of Rollstone Bank & Trust. “We are doing what we can to help every member of our Central Massachusetts community to access competent and compassionate healthcare in their greatest hour of need.”
The work of HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital (HA-C) seeks to reduce health disparities of marginalized populations, especially in Fitchburg and Leominster, with a focus on Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), and other marginalized populations, through increasing access to primary care, cancer screenings, and cancer treatments, when necessary. According to HA-C’s recently published Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), cancer was the second cause of death for HA-C’s Service Area residents.
“We’re working to increase community education, prevention measures and access to screening, in order to improve outcomes for cancer patients,” said Tricia Pistone, Senior Director, External Affairs for HA-C.
The Wellness Center at HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital is a 14,000 square foot, complementary care facility recently opened in August of 2021. Its goal is to enhance the quality of life and improve health outcomes for cancer patients and their families by integrating and enhancing complementary therapies into traditional cancer care. The Wellness Center will provide services, encouragement, and support to empower those who have cancer.
“Our multi-disciplinary approach to care will be available to assist patients and families in addressing the ongoing side effects of treatment,” said Steve Roach, President of HA-C, “These complementary care services, including counseling, case management, support groups, massage therapy, acupuncture and yoga, will provide culturally competent care focusing on reducing barriers to treatment.”
Because some complementary care is not covered by commercial insurance or MassHealth, HA-C seeks to establish a Patient Care Fund to equitable care for those in need. In addition, these funds will be used to address other barriers such as transportation, access to healthy foods, and personal items such as wigs.
From left: Martin F. Connors, Jr., President & CEO of Rollstone Bank & Trust; Tricia Pistone, Senior Director, External Affairs, UMass Memorial HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital; Steve Roach, President, UMass Memorial HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital and UMass Memorial Marlboro Hospital. (Photo courtesy of Rollstone Bank & Trust)
About Rollstone Bank & Trust
At Rollstone Bank & Trust, we deliver personalized service that goes above & beyond. Our dedication to providing our customers with superior bank and wealth management solutions, along with the support they need to prosper at work and at home, has enabled us to build one of the most trusted banks in the region. With branches located throughout central Massachusetts, customers have peace of mind knowing we are FDIC & DIF insured, and never far from home. Rollstone Bank & Trust - it's where you matter most.
About UMass Memorial Health- HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital
UMass Memorial Health - HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital is a full-service, 163 bed community hospital serving communities in North Central Massachusetts and surrounding cities and towns with a team of over 400 physicians across 40 health care specialties. We provide a full complement of services on our three campuses in Clinton, Fitchburg and Leominster including two 24-hour state-of-the-art emergency departments; an urgent care center; primary care, behavioral health, a complementary care center and specialty care such as the Simonds-Sinon Regional Cancer Center, home health and hospice, physical therapy centers, and geriatric psychiatry programs and services. Visit healthallianceclinton.com for more information.