Steward Health Care to Sell Physician Group to Optum, Pending Regulatory Approval

Steward Health Care, owner of Holy Family Hospitals in Haverhill and Methuen, said it plans to sell its physician group, Stewardship Health, to a UnitedHealth Group’s subsidiary, Minnesota-based Optum Financial. Stewardship Health is the parent of Stewardship Health Medical Group, which employs primary care physicians and other clinicians across nine states, according to the state’s Health Policy Commission. The company’s hospitals were not included in the deal. “This is a significant proposed change involving two large medical providers, both in Massachusetts and nationally, with important implications for the delivery and cost of health care across Massachusetts,” Health Policy Commission Director David Seltz said. “Details of the proposal will be reviewed by the HPC to examine potential impacts on health care costs, quality, access and equity.

Zeigler Joins Emmaus as Vice President of Strategic Planning and Administration

Eunice D. Zeigler is joining Emmaus of Haverhill as its inaugural vice president of strategic planning and administration. Working in partnership with Emmaus’ CEO and the other members of the senior leadership team, Zeigler will be responsible for developing and implementing strategic initiatives aligned with organizational goals, objectives and funding requirements. She brings more than 10 years of community organizing experience, including nine plus years’ experience in economic and social development, and seven plus years in municipal finance, grant writing and government regulatory compliance. “Having worked in the Community Development Department for the City of Haverhill, the Lowell Housing Authority and the YWCA in Lawrence, Eunice knows the character and needs of the communities Emmaus serves,” reads a statement from Emmaus. “She is passionate about targeting resources to those who need them the most, empowering women and youth and issues pertinent to community development.”

Zeigler has a Master’s Degree in Economic and Social Development of Regions from UMass Lowell.

Report: City of Haverhill Spending on Target; Gets Boost From Investing Federal Grant Money

The Haverhill City Council is expected to see relatively good news when it undertakes its review tonight of usually rather mundane monthly finance reports. City Auditor and CFO Angel A. Perkins, in a written preview of her report, says the city has enjoyed substantial returns in its investment account by earning interest on federal American Rescue Plan Act money. “As indicated in the revenue report, the general fund revenue is trending on target including a significant boost in earnings on investments which the city has received from investing its ARPA funds. Year to date, the city has earned $1.5 million in investment earnings. Two years ago, before these funds were available for investment, the city earned just $156,834,” she wrote.

Hillie David Martinez Joins Governor’s New Youth Council at Beacon Hill Ceremony

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Standing on the State House Grand Staircase with 60 other young representatives, David Martinez, a junior at Haverhill High School, was inducted as a member of Gov. Maura T. Healey’s new youth council yesterday. Observing some of his peers cutting class and wandering the halls, Martinez said he hopes to work against “widespread apathy” at Haverhill High School. He loved his AP U.S. Government and Politics class, he said, organizing debates for Haverhill politicians as well as a voter awareness campaign. He said he has seen some of his classmates struggle to find similar outlets for their passions. “Your zip code shouldn’t be a predictor of your future success,” he said.

Haverhill Updates Approach to Public Spaces, Asks Residents for Input Through Online Survey

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As Haverhill updates its approach to its open and recreational spaces, Environmental Health Technician Robert E. Moore Jr. asks residents to share their thoughts via an online survey. “To develop meaningful objectives, we need input from the public, for it’s the public’s needs we are trying to meet,” Moore wrote in an email to WHAV. Public opinion will guide the city in its stewardship of all open spaces, including historic areas, hiking trails, bodies of water and parks, as well as buildings like the library, private recreational facilities and Haverhill High School’s pool. To gain access to state money for maintenance and improvements, Moore said the city must keep its Open Space and Recreation Plan up to date, a process that happens every seven years. The plan has brought tangible upgrades to the city in the past.

Jaskelevicus Becomes Pentucket Bank Executive Vice President and Senior Credit Officer

Pentucket Bank’s Steve Jaskelevicus was recently named to the concurrent roles of executive vice president and senior credit officer. Lloyd Hamm, CEO and Jonathan H. Dowst, president, of River Run Services, the shared services organization of River Run Bancorp, MHC said in a statement that Jaskelevicus is responsible for the oversight of credit policy and risk management. “Steve is an extraordinarily knowledgeable banker,” said Dowst. “Given the changes in our economy the past few years, it’s no surprise that the industry and our regulators are much more focused on credit policy and risk management. It’s essential to keeping our organization sound in every way.

Former Councilor O’Brien and Bentley Lecturer LeBlanc Seek Consideration for Whittier Seats

A retired nurse who served 20 years on the Haverhill City Council and a Bentley University lecturer whose family runs a successful automotive business are among those wishing to serve on the Whittier Tech School Committee. Former City Councilor Mary Ellen Daly O’Brien and Jeff LeBlanc, who has taught business at Bentley, Boston University and Suffolk University, among others, both notified WHAV of their interests in one of the two available Haverhill seats at Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School. “My successful and fulfilling 46-year nursing career as well as serving 20 years on the Haverhill City Council make me uniquely qualified and that I can bring valuable knowledge and understanding to the board.” O’Brien told WHAV. She added “I am very familiar with budgetary concerns, administrator transparency, working collaboratively on a team and, most of all, putting Haverhill’s priorities first.”

LeBlanc said, “My connection to Whittier VoTech runs deep. My father, Kenneth LeBlanc, got his start at Whittier VoTech, where he received the foundational skills and training that paved the way for his successful career in the automotive field and business.

41st Annual YWCA Tribute to Women Set to Honor 23 at Awards Lunch in May

YWCA Northeastern Massachusetts will honor 23 women during its annual Tribute to Women awards lunch this spring. The 41st annual Tribute to Women honorees are Teri Almquist. Nancy Carace, Bria Day, Lisa Fabbri-Lopez, Jessica Gordon, Jeanette Isabella, Dee Jacobs O’Neil, Suzanne Korschun, Meaghan Lally-McGurl, Alvania Lopez, Eva Montibello, Eva Moscat, Carina Pappalardo, Janice Phillips, Alethea Raybeck, Susan Riccio, Maria Santos, Michelle Shea, Helen Sheehan, Diana Teel, Dawne Warren, Sarah Weiser and Antoinette Whitney. “Every year this is one of our most exciting, inspiring, and empowering events,” YWCA CEO Susan Staples said in a release. “It is such a privilege to bring the community together to celebrate some of the most powerful and committed women in the Merrimack Valley.”

The annual Tribute to Women awards is slated for Thursday, May 16, from noon to 2 p.m., at Andover Country Club.