Haverhill

Deed Shows Lawrence General Hospital Paid $10 Million for Haverhill Campus Real Estate

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Details of Lawrence General Hospital’s purchase of the Holy Family Hospital Haverhill campus shows the real estate purchase price was an even $10 million for the 7.4-acre property completed in 1984. As WHAV reported in August, Lawrence General Hospital paid $28 million for the combined Haverhill and Methuen campuses, but the U.S. Bankruptcy Court then listed only the combined value. The deed, recorded late last week in the Southern Essex District Registry of Deeds, shows LG Newcorp, 1 General St., Lawrence, purchased the property from MPT (Medical Properties Trust) of Haverhill-Steward. Steward sold the property to Birmingham, Alabama-based Medical Properties Trust for $124 million as part of a sell and leaseback deal. Officials have charged the then-inflated sales price and resulting steep rents contributed to the undoing of the hospital group.

Community Spotlight

Haverhill Council on Aging Seminar to Explain Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage Difference

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The Haverhill Council on Aging will host a free Medicare information seminar aimed at helping attendees understand the differences between Medicare Supplement Plans and Medicare Advantage Plans. Sponsored by Blue Cross Massachusetts, the seminar will cover topics such as original Medicare, distinctions between Supplement and Advantage Plans and whether prescription drug coverage is necessary. Participants also have the opportunity to review real-life case studies and access resources to aid in the decision-making process. The seminar is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 18, at 10 a.m., at the Haverhill Citizen Center, 10 Welcome St., Room 45.

Haverhill

Lawrence General Hospital Takes Over Holy Family ‘With No Glitches;’ Celebrates in Two Cities (Photos)

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(Additional photographs below.)

Lawrence General Hospital said its takeover Tuesday of Holy Family Hospital in Haverhill and Methuen went “absolutely with no glitches,” and hospital staff and elected officials celebrated the return of nonprofit ownership in ceremonies in both cities. Lawrence General Hospital President and CEO Abha Agrawal called the near closings of Holy Family Hospital by Steward Health Care a “breach of trust,” but promised to “rebuild.”

“Today is the day when we step out of the fog of uncertainty onto a path of progress forward, creating a healing system of care for our patients and our team. Just a few months ago, we were on the brink of losing Holy Family Hospital, its facilities—beautiful, the care it provides, the jobs it sustains and the economic benefit it creates,” she told a crowd gathered Tuesday morning outside Holy Family Hospital in Methuen. Agrawal thanked Gov. Maura T. Healey, Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, state Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh and other local and state leaders for their efforts in saving the hospitals in Methuen and Haverhill. She said the priorities are now to protect patients and the care team; expand mission of health equity, diversity and inclusivity; fostering partnership and collaboration with area institutions such as Greater Lawrence Family Health Center, rehabilitation centers, community services and AgeSpan; “integration and efficient organization” of clinical services and operations; and “laying the foundations of innovations in care.

Haverhill

Markey Says Steward Health Care CEO de la Torre to be Held Accountable Despite Resignation

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Sen. Edward J. Markey says the resignation of Steward Health CEO Ralph de la Torre will continue to be held accountable in Congress and the courts for the company’s greed “while patients suffered and died and workers and hospitals went unresourced.”

The U.S. Senate voted unanimously last week to refer de la Torre for criminal contempt of Congress for failing to respond to a subpoena issued by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions—or HELP—Committee. It was the first time the Senate has taken such a step in more than 50 years. “Ralph de la Torre’s resignation is not enough, and must be held accountable in the court of law. This resignation comes too late for the workers, patients and communities that Mr. de Torre harmed and abandoned,” Markey said. The senator serves as chair of the HELP Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security.

Business Bulletin

Lawrence General Hospital One of Only 12 in U.S. to Earn Health Care Equity Certification

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Lawrence General Hospital, which is scheduled to take possession tomorrow of Holy Family Hospital, this month earned the Joint Commission’s Health Care Equity Certification for excellence in its efforts to provide equitable care, treatment and services. This certification has been given only to 12 hospitals across the country with Lawrence General being the first stand-alone hospital to receive it. The designation shows Lawrence General demonstrated that it has established structures and processes in place to decrease health care disparities within its patient populations and to promote diversity, equity and inclusion for staff. “Our successful certification demonstrates our dedication to addressing and reducing health disparities, ensuring that every patient receives fair and inclusive care,” said Dr. Abha Agrawal, Lawrence General Hospital president and CEO. During a Sept.

Business Bulletin

Anna Jaques Hospital Says Haverhill YMCA Freight Farm Helps Overcome ‘Food Deserts’

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The first birthday of Haverhill YMCA’s Freight Farm brought out staff, city officials and its primary sponsor for a birthday cake and, of course, salad made with the farm’s own lettuce. Celebrating Wednesday at the Gateway Academy on Primrose Street, where the first YMCA Freight Farm in the country is located, were Mayor Melinda E. Barrett, YMCA Regional Executive Director Tracy Fuller, city councilors, community leaders and Glenn D. Focht, president of Anna Jaques Hospital, which sponsored the farm. “Now, there’s a year’s worth of results to show that it can make a difference in the community where a lot of kids and families experience food insecurity or lack of access to healthy food. Parts of the city are food deserts when it comes to things like fruits and vegetables,” he said. Focht explained why Anna Jaques’ parent company got involved.

Health

Groveland Council on Aging Offers Series for National Fall Prevention Awareness Week

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The Groveland Council on Aging is offering a series of events in recognition of Fall Prevention Awareness Week to help older adults reduce fall risk, maintain independence, and stay active. Council on Aging Director Alyssa Lee notes “Falling is not a normal part of aging. However, falls remain the leading cause of serious injuries and death for older adults. The good news is they are preventable, and there are proven steps people can take to reduce their risk.”

For National Fall Prevention Awareness Week, the Groveland Council on Aging offers 3B Fitness: Bones, Brains & Balance with Brian Coyne, Tuesday, Sept. 24.

Haverhill

Congressional Delegation Calls for Possible Contempt Charges Against Steward CEO

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As the head of the failed Steward Health Care refuses to comply with a subpoena to testify before a congressional committee, Sen. Edward J. Markey is calling for Ralph de la Torre to be held in contempt of Congress, be fired as Steward CEO and lose his medical degree. At a press conference, Markey, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Congresswoman Lori Trahan and labor leaders from 1199 SEIU and Massachusetts Nurses Association responded to de la Torre’s plans to skip a Sept. 12 Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Subcommittee meeting. HELP Chair Bernie Sanders and bipartisan colleagues voted July 25 to subpoena de la Torre to testify at a meeting titled “Examining the Bankruptcy of Steward Health Care: How Management Decisions Have Impacted Patient Care.” It was the first time the Senate HELP Committee issued a subpoena since 1981. “Ralph de la Torre has shown contempt for our health care system and now the United States Senate must bring contempt charges against Ralph de la Torre.