Dr. Tim Martinez, former interim Dental Director at the Mid/Upper Cape Community Health Center in Hyannis, has been named to the newly created position of State Dental Director for MassHealth (Medicaid). Prior to this appointment, Dr. Martinez served as a consultant to the state Department of Public Health Office of Public Protection. In this capacity he provided technical advice for prosecutors for the Board of Registration in dental cases involving fraud and other matters. Dr. Martinez will continue to maintain his private practice in South Wellfleet.
Implementing its acquisition of Cape & Islands Oxygen, Cape Medical Supply of Sandwich and Hyannis has added eight new staffers for a total of 35. Included are three drivers from the C&I Oxygen staff.
Senator Therese Murray (D-Plymouth and the Upper Cape) has been honored by the Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund (CICRF) for her efforts to provide financial relief for the families of children suffering from financial distress. Senator Murray, who chairs the Senate Ways and Means Committee, authored legislation to create this fund five years ago after learning of a young constituent whose father nearly went into bankruptcy trying to get his son the treatment he needed.
Senator Murray also has been recognized for her efforts on behalf of Massachusetts residents living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ADS). Named one of the legislators of the year by the Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts, the organization commended the senator for her dedication and commitment to children with ADS and their families.
Most recently, in the fiscal year 2006 budget, she included $1 million specifically for a new Autism Division at the Commonwealth’s Department of Mental Retardation.
The Avon Foundation Breast Care Fund has awarded a $60,000 one-year grant to the VNA of Cape Cod’s Women’s Health Network to increase awareness of the lifer-saving benefits of early detection of breast cancer. This is the 10th straight year the VNA program has received Avon Foundation funding and since 1998 almost 6,000 women have been referred for mammograms, clinical breast exams and Paps. For more information on the VNA’s Women’s Health Network, call 1-888-557-9994.
Two Cape Cod agencies are among the recipients of 12 grants totaling $128,000 made by The Massachusetts Medical Society and Alliance Charitable Foundation to nonprofit organizations in the Commonwealth. The grants will provide a variety of health services for adults and children. The Cape Cod Free Clinic and Community Health Center in Falmouth was awarded $25,000 to support its program, Diabetes Initiative for the Uninsured. This is the Foundation's second grant to the Free Clinic, which received $26,400 in 2002 to provide services for the uninsured Brazilian population on Cape Cod. Children's Cove in Barnstable received $18,000 to support the agency's Sexual Abuse Awareness Campaign.
Applications are now open for the 2006-2007 Geraldine F. Lavin $1,000 Memorial Scholarship for a Suffolk University Cape Cod Sawyer School student in any program, or Cape Cod Community College student who is admitted to Suffolk through the joint Suffolk/CCCC Sawyer program by Summer or Fall 2006 whose life has been impacted by breast cancer. The deadline is June 1. Information and applications are available from the Sawyer School CCCC Office, www.geraldinelavinscholarship.org, or by calling 508-375-4056 or 508-255-1447. Students who will not receive their final admission to Suffolk until after completion of their summer courses should make that clear in a cover letter with their application.