Morton Hospital recently successfully completed its 100th “Inspire” sleep apnea treatment, which involves an FDA-approved implantable device that prevents airway obstruction during sleep. Inspire works inside the body with a patient’s natural breathing process to treat sleep apnea.

In 2023, Morton began offering the Inspire treatment, which is used in patients who stopped using or are unable to tolerate Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy. Morton’s work was featured in MHA’s “Innovative Firsts” series.

***

Worcester Business Journal reports that Heywood Healthcare will offer fully subsidized childcare to employees with the greatest financial need. United Way of North Central Massachusetts was chosen to receive an $800,000 grant as part of the Commonwealth Employer Child Care Innovation Fund. The nonprofit will partner with Heywood Healthcare, the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts, and Upwards, a California-based caregiver tech company. The funding is intended to boost workforce talent acquisition and retention.

“I have seen the incredible people of Heywood Healthcare face impossible choices, not because of a lack of dedication, but because childcare has become unaffordable and out of reach,” said Heywood President and CEO Rozanna Penney. “Too often, employees are forced to step away from the workforce because they cannot make ends meet. With an overwhelming majority of our workforce made up of women, many balancing work and family responsibilities, this is deeply personal to our organization. This is also a regional economic issue, impacting our ability to recruit and retain a strong healthcare workforce.”

***

In July, UMass Memorial Health celebrated the new home for Family Medicine at White City Plaza. Formerly known as Benedict Family Medicine and located on UMass Memorial Medical Center’s University Campus, the practice has moved to a more convenient community-based location and is now operating as Family Medicine at White City Plaza.

The new location allows patients to continue receiving care from the same trusted physicians and staff while benefiting from enhanced accessibility and amenities, including free parking, on-site laboratory (blood draw) services, and continued comprehensive family medicine care.