FedPoint offers nursing scholarships, Alzheimer’s conference: Seacoast health news
FedPoint now accepting applications for its 2023 Nursing Scholarship Program
PORTSMOUTH — Federal benefits administrator FedPoint announced the application window for its annual nursing scholarship program is now open. The company plans to award four $5,000 scholarships in spring 2023. The application deadline is March 6.
To be eligible for the scholarships, candidates must currently reside in New Hampshire, Maine or Massachusetts, and they must be accepted to an accredited nursing program. FedPoint said it will announce the scholarship winners every May during National Nurses Week. Additional details about the scholarship, eligibility requirements, decision criteria, and application timeline are available at fedpointusa.com/scholarships.
Portsmouth Regional Hospital first in New England to use New Robotic Intraoperative Imaging Technology
PORTSMOUTH — Portsmouth Regional Hospital recently completed its first surgery using a new cutting-edge tool designed to provide laser precision for spinal, cervical, cranial, and trauma surgery. Portsmouth Regional Hospital is the only hospital in New England, and the sixth hospital in the world, to employ this new cutting-edge robotic intraoperative imaging technology.
The new technology seamlessly integrates with PRH’s existing surgery navigation system, which is designed to provide real-time imaging and guidance for hardware placement. The tool’s precision navigation eliminates the need for both intraoperative fluoroscopy and post-operative CT scans. Post-op scans are used to ensure accurate placement of hardware, but the technology ensures such placement during the procedure.
“The placement of hardware, particularly in the spine, is a very precise procedure, and this provides us with an additional layer of accuracy for better outcomes,” said Hank Pallatroni, MD, neurosurgeon at Portsmouth Regional Hospital. “And for procedures that require smaller screws, going into smaller bones or near blood vessels, this new technology is a game-changer, as it shows us exactly where to place the screw in real-time.”
The robotic imaging works with existing digital surgery setups and is controlled with a tablet to provide real-time imaging and allows for flexible patient positioning during surgery.
The first surgery at PRH using the new technology was a lumbar spine procedure performed by Pallatroni and PRH neurosurgeon Carlos Palacio, MD, for treatment of spinal stenosis.
“Investing in tools and technology such as this is critical to our mission to provide high quality care to our patients, and to keep them close to home,” said Dean M. Carucci, chief executive officer of Portsmouth Regional Hospital. “We want our patients to be able to receive complex care for complex conditions, close to their support networks, and using the most cutting-edge technology, such as this new imaging device, allows us to do just that.”
Alzheimer’s Association to host Annual New England Family Conference
STATEWIDE — New Hampshire residents are invited to a free educational conference hosted by the Alzheimer’s Association New England Region for individuals living with dementia and their families. The two-day New England Family Conference will take place Feb. 3 to Feb. 4. The virtual event is free and open to individuals living with Alzheimer’s and dementia, family caregivers and the general public. New this year, live translation in Spanish will be offered during the entire conference.
Experts in the field of care and support will share practical and concrete recommendations, resources, and guidance in the care and support for those living a life with dementia. Sessions include Living Well with Cognitive Challenges: Tips and Strategies; Creating a Healthy and Safe Environment for Living with Dementia; Expressive Therapy: A Little-Known Formula for Easing Stress and Anxiety; and a special Spanish-language caregiver session. The two-day program also features a panel of individuals living with Alzheimer’s as well as a panel of caregivers.
For a full list of sessions, topics, and speakers, and to register for the New England Family Conference, visit alzfamilyconference.org.
Greater Rochester Community Health Foundation awards $80,000 in Inaugural grants
ROCHESTER — The Greater Rochester Community Health Foundation’s Board of Directors has announced $80,000 in grants to eight nonprofits working to improve the health and well-being of people in Strafford County. Each organization will receive a $10,000 grant to support its operations.
“The GRCHF Board of Directors is pleased to award our first round of grants to these eight nonprofits which provide a range of services critical to the health of Strafford County residents,” said Betsey Andrews Parker, chair of the GRCHF Board and CEO of the Community Action Partnership of Strafford County. “We envision a thriving, healthy and connected community for the people of Strafford County. We look forward to working with residents and nonprofits to help realize that vision.”
The following organizations each received a $10,000 operating grant:
Community Partners of Dover
Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation of Dover
Greater Seacoast Community Health of Portsmouth
Haven of Portsmouth
Southeastern New Hampshire Alcohol & Drug Abuse Services of Dover
Strafford Nutrition & Meals on Wheels of Somersworth
The Joan G. Lovering Health Center of Greenland
Waypoint of Manchester (Waypoint operates sites in Dover and Rochester)
The grants were awarded through GRCHF’s Small Grants program which is a competitive application program open to all nonprofits that serve Strafford County residents. For this inaugural round of grants, the board chose to focus on access-to-care challenges. Access to care was identified by initial research of community needs assessments from the major healthcare providers in the region and may include: mental health, substance use disorder, food security, housing, senior services, transportation and logistics, culturally appropriate care, awareness of services, care coordination and patient motivation.
To learn more about the Greater Rochester Community Health Foundation and future grantmaking opportunities, please visit www.nhcf.org/GRCHF.
York Hospital to receive $2.5 million in federal funding for renovation of Cardiac Catheterization Lab
YORK, Maine — York Hospital will soon receive $2.5 million toward the renovation of their Cardiac Catheterization Lab. U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine) secured the funds through the omnibus funding package, Fiscal Year 2023 Health and Human Services appropriations bill.
“Mainers in every part of our state should be able to receive the vital medical services they need, which is why I have long advocated for funding to support access to quality rural health care,” said Senator Collins. “Upgrading and renovating York Hospital’s cardiac catheterization lab will provide York County residents with access to the most advanced care, improving health outcomes.”
York Hospital President and CEO, Dr. Patrick Taylor, thanked Senator Collins and Senator King for supporting the hospital’s request for funding. “Swift access to medical care is critical for patients who are experiencing life-threatening cardiac events” explained Dr. Taylor. “This funding will allow us to make capital improvements that will literally help our caregivers save lives, and we are incredibly grateful to both Senator Collins and Senator King for supporting our mission to deliver the highest quality medical care to our communities in southern Maine.”
Cardiac catheterization labs are specialized areas in the hospital where physicians perform minimally invasive tests and advanced cardiac procedures to diagnose and treat cardiovascular disease.
The funding will support York Hospital’s effort to upgrade its existing cardiac catheterization lab equipment. Newer equipment will allow York Hospital medical staff to diagnose and treat blockages more effectively by delivering clear imaging and managing radiation dosage during procedures.
To make an appointment or for more information regarding cardiology services, contact Cardiovascular Care Associates of York Hospital at 207-363-6136. For further information about other York Hospital programs and services, visit yorkhospital.com or contact Community Relations at 207-351-2385 or info@yorkhospital.com.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: FedPoint nursing scholarships, Alzheimer’s conference: Seacoast health news
