ANDOVER - Maria Fragala-Pinkham, a physical therapist at Franciscan Hospital for Children, recently received the award for outstanding achievement in clinical practice from the American Physical Therapy Association of Massachusetts.
The award is given to physical therapists and physical therapist assistant members who are outstanding, clinicians, dedicated to their patients, their professions, and to sharing their knowledge with others. It is awarded whenever the American Physical Therapy Association of Massachusetts Board of Directors believes an appropriate individual should be so honored.
"We are proud that Maria and her work have been recognized by the American Physical Therapy Association of Massachusetts," said Jane O'Brien, MD, Medical Director at Franciscan Hospital for Children. "Her work has made significant contributions to the quality and efficacy of treatment for children here at Franciscan Hospital for Children and more broadly in the field of Pediatric Rehabilitation."
The Andover resident has worked at FHC for 11 years as a physical therapist providing outpatient physical therapy services and as a clinical researcher. She was nominated by a colleague and received letters of recommendation from supervisors and parents of children she had worked with at Franciscan Hospital for Children.
The best part of my job as a physical therapist at Franciscan Hospital for Children is working with incredible children and their families. I learn something from every child that I work with. In addition, my role as a physical therapist and a clinical researcher allows me the unique opportunity to develop community-based physical activity opportunities for children with special needs.
Group earns big tax credit
ANDOVER - Cooperstown Environmental LLC recently announced that it had successfully earned a tax credit of more than $180,000 on behalf of Wayside Youth & Family Support Network, the non-profit organization based in Framingham.
The Massachusetts Brownfields Tax Credit program allows eligible parties to recover a portion of the costs they spent investigating and remediating contaminated properties. Determining who qualifies for the tax credits and how much may be recovered is often less than straightforward, however, as the guidelines for the program are complex and subject to interpretation.
Legislative changes in 2006 made not-for-profit organizations eligible for the Brownfields tax credit program while also making the credits transferable. Wayside took advantage of these provisions to turn its credits into much-needed cash.
Eric L. Masi, Ed.D, Wayside's president & CEO, praised Cooperstown Environmental for helping Wayside apply for, receive and successfully sell Brownsfield tax credits.
"Thanks to Cooperstown's efforts, Wayside's new residential and educational campus in Framingham has the resources to serve significantly more adolescents and families suffering from significant mental health, substance abuse, and/or behavioral difficulties."
Donations of winter coats needed
TEWKSBURY — While schools and corporate partners have been busy collecting coats for Anton's Cleaners' Coats for Kids drive, more coats are still needed to meet the demand, organizers said.
All types of coats — infants', children's and adults' — can be donated through Jan. 9.
More information is available at antons.com/cfk or by calling the Coats for Kids hotline at 800-659-0069.
Since it began in 1995, Coats for Kids has distributed more than 550,000 coats. Last year, nearly 65,000 coats were collected, including many through the corporate partners and school program.
"Our wish is that everyone remembers there are many people out there who want nothing more than to receive the gift of warmth this holiday season,'' said Charles A. Anton, president of Anton's Cleaners. "We hope if you receive a new coat for the holidays, or purchase one for your children, that you drop off the old ones at any of our 44 stores or at Jordan's Furniture."
Anton's reminds everyone that more coats are needed to reach its goal of collecting 60,000 coats that will be cleaned by Anton's at no charge.
Following cleaning, Coats for Kids' distribution partners such as Massachusetts Community Action Programs, Salvation Army, Cradles to Crayons, BUMC: Outreach Van Project, and Catholic Charities, among others, will ensure that coats get to those who cannot afford one during the cold weather months.
