OVNA adds Hospice & Homecare program. The Masonic Health System (MHS) and Harrington Memorial Hospital (HMH), located in Southbridge, Massachusetts, have formalized an agreement to integrate Harrington’s Home Care and Hospice program into Overlook Visiting Nurse Association (OVNA). MHS and HMH are two major healthcare providers in Southern Worcester County and share many of the same values and principles that better serve community needs.

HMH, established in 1931, is a progressive community hospital serving 17 towns in South Central Massachusetts. "I am very excited about our expanding partnership with Harrington Memorial Hospital, which will increase our scope of services and coverage area and is in-line with our long-term plan to build and sustain a continuum of care throughout the state of Massachusetts,” says David Turner, Chief Executive Officer of MHS.

The integration of Harrington’s home care and hospice services into OVNA’s Worcester branch is scheduled to be completed by the end of July. This integration will increase OVNA’s average daily census by about 50 patents, bringing the total number of patients serviced by OVNA across the state of Massachusetts on a daily basis to approximately 1,700 patients.

Richard Mangion, CEO and President of HMH, is pleased with the planned transition. “Preserving the continuity of care to the community is an important aspect of this agreement,” says Mangion. “I’m pleased that the transfer of the service will not result in any layoffs or staff separations.”

“The new partnership is especially significant to the OVNA for two reasons,” says Wayne Regan, President of OVNA. “First it strengthens our presence in the South Central part of the state, and second, it adds a new service offering – a hospice and palliative care component,” he explains.

Hospice and Palliative care is considered the compassionate care model for individuals and families facing end-of-life illnesses or injuries. Hospice focuses on caring, not on curing. It involves a truly interdisciplinary team approach focusing on meeting medical needs and pain management, but more importantly the emotional and spiritual support tailored to the individual’s unique needs and wishes. The individual’s and family’s needs must be assessed and all treatment options explored and evaluated in the context of the individual’s values. The individual’s choice and decision regarding care are paramount and will always be followed.

“Our partnership with Masonic Health System will bring together the strength of two leading homecare providers to deliver an unparalleled depth of medical expertise to mature individuals in Southern Worcester County,” says Tom Trask, Director of HMH Homecare and Hospice.

“This is a wonderful partnership that will benefit the community,” says State Representative Mark J. Carron. “Masonic Health System and Harrington Memorial Hospital Homecare and Hospice are two great assets to Central Massachusetts.”

About Masonic Health System
Masonic Health System is the parent corporation of three subsidiary corporations — The Overlook Visiting Nurse Association, The Overlook Life Care Community, and The Overlook Masonic Health Center — that provide a fully integrated continuum of health care services throughout the Commonwealth. The Overlook Visiting Nurse Association, a Medicare/Medicaid certified agency, provides skilled nursing, physical, occupational, and speech therapy, as well as certified home health aides, social workers, and pediatric nurses to individuals throughout the State of Massachusetts. For more information, call (508) 755-5550, or visit www.overlookvna.org. The Overlook Masonic Health Center provides skilled nursing care, intermediate care, and short-term sub acute services. The Health Center also has a special care unit that specializes in the care of residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. For more information, call toll-free at (866) 430-OMHC. The Overlook Life Care Community is a new and dynamic approach to active living for adults 62 and better in Central Massachusetts. For more information, call toll-free: 866-753-5429, or visit www.overlookcommunities.org.

About Harrington Memorial Hospital
Harrington Memorial, a non-profit institution, officially opened its doors on
September 7, 1931, with a capacity of 34 beds, 6 children’s cribs, and 13 bassinets. Today, the Hospital has grown to a modern, 113-bed hospital that provides quality health care to a service area of approximately 350 square miles covering 17 towns in South Central Massachusetts and Northeastern Connecticut. The hospital is governed by a volunteer board compromised of community leaders. Its local governance structure means critical health care decisions are made by experts in the community who can respond to local health and community needs.

Recently, Harrington Memorial’s directors, trustees, physicians and administration have unanimously agreed on a strategic effort to proceed with a well-planned renovation, expansion and improvement process designed to strengthen our services and ensure that the hospital will remain viable for the next 75 years.

More information can be found at www.harringtonhospital.org.