Page 30 - Healthcare News Nov_Dec, 2020

Louis & Clark Pharmacy Unveils High-speed, Vial-filling Robot
SPRINGFIELD — Louis & Clark Pharmacy, an independent phar- macy that has provided conve- nient, safe, and reliable prescrip- tion solutions to individuals, assisted living, independent living, group homes, and memory-care communities since 1965, an- nounced a new medication man- agement solution: a high-speed, vial-filling robot. The Parata Max 2 is the latest innovative solution
the pharmacy has implemented in prescription services.
According to the manufacturer’s website, the Max 2 is the next gen- eration of vial-dispensing technol- ogy. Using barcoding on both the inventory bottle and dispensing cell, the robot verifies a match, en- suring that an accurate drug and total dosage is put into each vial.
“We are so pleased to offer our customers and the community on
the whole a faster and safer solu- tion,” said Dr. Kara James, phar- macy manager and co-owner. “The automation process will ensure ac- curate vial accuracy and allow our pharmacists to devote even more time to customer care.”
A unique feature of the Max 2 is its camera and pinch-to-zoom functionality, allowing pharma- cists the ability to view and en- large images of every vial prior to
capping. This visual inspection is an added safeguard Louis & Clark offers customers.
“Even with the robot in place, we will always implement a hu- man element to the vial-filling process,” James said. “These checks and balances help to keep members of our community safe and healthy.”
Eleven MHA Programs Earn CARF International Accreditation
SPRINGFIELD — CARF Interna- tional, an independent interna- tional nonprofit accrediting body, announced that the Mental Health Assoc. Inc. (MHA) has been accred- ited for a period of three years for 11 programs. Included are MHA’s BestLife Emotional Health and Wellness Center, which provides outpatient behavioral-health clinical services to adults, chil- dren, families, and couples; GRIT, MHA’s residential rehabilitation- services program; the Tenancy Preservation Program; Housing First; and residential programs funded by the Department of Mental Health and Department of Children and Families.
CARF accreditation ensures and validates that MHA is meeting internationally accepted standards that emphasize an integrated
and individualized approach to services and outcomes, establishes accountability to funding sources
and referral agencies, and reassures the community of MHA’s ongoing commitment to self-evaluation in its pursuit of excellence, quality outcomes, and positive impact. “MHA has a fiduciary relation- ship with our funders and donors, so their confidence in our pro- grams must be both meaningful and measurable,” said Cheryl Fa- sano, president and CEO of MHA Inc. “CARF accreditation validates that. When an organization like CARF illuminates every aspect of
a program and acknowledges the high standards we consistently achieve in quality and account- ability, that speaks volumes about MHA as an organization. More than 60 years ago, our founders established MHA with a pro- found passion and commitment to improving the lives of those challenged by mental health and developmental disabilities. They would be proud to know how
forward-thinking and forward- moving MHA is today.”
CARF International is an inde- pendent, nonprofit accrediting body whose mission is to promote the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process and continuous-improvement ser- vices that center on enhancing the lives of the people served.
“MHA received the highest level of CARF accreditation for these programs,” Fasano said. “MHA put itself through a rigorous peer- review process and demonstrated to surveyors during on-site vis-
its our commitment to offering programs and services that are measurable, accountable, and of the highest quality. MHA teams worked tirelessly on this process for 18 months. There were count- less hours of preparation and personal commitment from every person involved, notably achieved
in the midst of a global pandemic. Our teams have set an extraordi- nary example of commitment and professionalism. I am grateful and extremely proud of the passion MHA people bring to their work every day.”
MHA’s BestLife Emotional Health and Wellness Center part- ners with adults, children, fami- lies, and couples impacted by the challenges of long-term or tempo- rary mental-health, substance-use, and/or co-occurring concerns. MHA designed its GRIT Residential Rehabilitation Services program to help those who struggle with ad- diction and a co-occurring mental- health diagnosis. MHA applies the principles of Housing First through a variety of person-centric, need- specific programs to ensure that
all people have access to safe and affordable housing, regardless of their individual challenges.
Thunderbirds Foundation Donates $15,000 to Rays of Hope
SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Thunderbirds President Nathan Costa presented a check for $15,000 to the Baystate Health Foundation for Rays of Hope
from proceeds raised by the sale of specialty pink jerseys worn at the 2020 Pink in the Rink night in March.
Each year since the team’s incep- tion, the Thunderbirds have held
a Pink in the Rink night to benefit Rays of Hope, complete with par- ticipation by breast-cancer survi-
vors, pink ice, and pink specialty jerseys. The event has sold out each of the past four seasons, and has become a signature event in the area to raise awareness. This past season’s event took place on March 7, and was again sold out, with a capacity crowd of 6,793.
“We at the Thunderbirds have been a dedicated supporter of the Baystate Health Foundation and the Rays of Hope from inception, and it’s with great admiration for the fight against breast cancer that
we are able to make yet another significant contribution to the cause in what has been a very dif- ficult year,” Costa said. “We look forward to continuing this special partnership for years to come.”
The Thunderbirds Founda-
tion has contributed more than $80,000 to the Baystate Health Foundation and the Rays of Hope through the proceeds of specialty jersey auctions from the annual Pink in the Rink night.
During the check-presentation
ceremony, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno noted that “we all have family and friends who have battled this challenge. My administration is proud to stand with those affected and Baystate Medical Center in continuing to raise funds to cure and beat this medical challenge.”
30 WWW.HEALTHCARENEWS.COM NOV./DEC. 2020