July 31, 2015

Harrington Awarded $10,000 Grant from Janet Malser Humanities Trust

WEBSTER, Mass. – July 31, 2015 – Harrington HealthCare System has been awarded a grant of $10,000 from the Janet Malser Humanities Trust as a contribution toward equipment for the Diagnostic Imaging Department, at its Webster campus on Thompson Road, and its Rehab Department, on Cudworth Road in Webster.

This grant will allow Harrington to meet increased demand and develop a more robust Sports Medicine program. According to Pam Zouranjian Connor, Harrington’s Executive Director of Satellite Operations, in 2014, Harrington HealthCare at Webster provided 12,195 physical therapy visits and 1,374 occupational therapy visits, for a total of 13,569 visits. Total visits are expected to increase by five percent this year.

For the sports medicine program, Harrington purchased two Hi-Lo treatment tables and a recumbent bicycle with upper-body ergometer. Zouranjian Connor says that Hi-Lo tables are ideal for patients whose mobility is compromised and who may have difficulty stepping up. In addition, the Hi-Lo table will allow Harrington to provide better care to its lymphedema and bariatric (obese) patients.

The recumbent bike will distribute the rider’s weight comfortably over a larger area. This is also a benefit for patients with limited mobility, many of whom are elderly, post-operative knee/hip patients, and those working on conditioning. This piece of equipment also has a UBE (Upper- Body Ergometer), which is like a bicycle that you peddle with your arms. This function of the equipment works well for shoulder problems, cardiac endurance, and pulmonary function.

Harrington also purchased a blanket warming unit for the Diagnostic Imaging Department, which can provide heating from 98 degrees to 200 degrees to “ensure maximum patient comfort and safety.”  Zouranjian Connor says that heated blankets have been proven to help calm patients, especially when many feel cold, anxious, and uncertain.  The application of pre-warmed blankets also has a positive psychological impact.

“We are grateful for the Janet Malser Trust and its generous gift,” said Zouranjian Connor. “They continue to show great support and enthusiasm for our projects that benefit local communities.”

In June 2014, the Janet Malser trust awarded Harrington $8,298 for equipment for the new Remillard Family Emergency Department at the Webster campus.

Janet Malser was a lifelong resident of Dudley and Webster, Mass. She established this trust so that the causes she was involved with would continue to be supported when she was no longer here. She loved art, history, nature, and music.

The Janet Malser Humanities Trust was established in 2009 as a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation. Its purpose is to fund educational, cultural, historic and charitable causes in the towns of Dudley, Oxford and Webster. For more information, visit janetmalsertrust.org.