Haverhill

Holy Family Hospital’s Allied Health Professionals Consider Union

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Lab technicians, physical therapists, pharmacists and other so-called “allied health professionals” who work at the two Holy Family Hospital campuses are voting Wednesday on whether to form a collective bargaining unit at the Massachusetts Nurses Association. The 76 workers have been meeting with representatives of the union for the last two months, according to Massachusetts Nurses Association spokesperson Joe Markman. The Massachusetts Nurses Association already represents registered nurses at the two Holy Family campuses, as well as at Lawrence General Hospital, the new owner of the Methuen and Haverhill hospitals. The National Labor Relations Board is running the election. The vote to unionize follows the purchase of the two Holy Family campuses by Lawrence General Hospital with state financial assistance last October after the previous owner, Steward Health Care, declared bankruptcy.

Education

Greater Lawrence Tech Senior From Methuen Earns Gold Medal at SkillsUSA State Championship

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Greater Lawrence Technical School senior Julissa Sanchez, of Methuen took first place and earned a gold medal in Medical Assisting at the 2025 SkillsUSA State Leadership & Skills Conference, held early last month in Marlborough. Sanchez became involved in SkillsUSA during her sophomore year after being introduced to it by her shop instructor, Audra Durkin. That year, she took her first district-level exam for the Medical Assisting competition and served as a voting delegate at the 2023 SkillsUSA State Conference. “Julissa likes to be challenged, and what better way to accept a challenge than to participate in competitions,” said Durkin. “Over the past two years, Julissa has shown remarkable growth—both personally and academically.

Business Bulletin

It’s Cummings Grant Time—Area Hospital, School, Nonprofits Receive Share of $30 Million Grants Program

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Lawrence General and Holy Family Hospitals are among 150 recipients—including others in Haverhill and Methuen—awarded grants this month through the Cummings $30 Million Grants Program

The hospital will use a $90,000 grant over the next three years to develop a new program that specifically supports prenatal and postpartum education and monitoring for Merrimack Valley-area mothers and babies. “This grant supports the important work our teams do to care for the unique needs of women in our community,” says Diana Richardson, interim president and CEO at Lawrence General and Holy Family Hospitals. In Haverhill, Haverhill Common Ground Ministries was also awarded $75,000 and Hill View Montessori School, $150,000, to use over three years. Methuen’s On the Move will receive $30,000 to help young children from lower-income families improve their reading skills. Lawrence General Director of Maternal Child Health Michelle Young added the hospital plans to use its grant to enhance its prenatal and postnatal education and monitoring program for obstetric patients in Greater Lawrence through a maternal health app, remote hypertension monitoring and lactation support.

Business Bulletin

Merrimack Valley YMCA Names Heena to Lead Andover/North Andover Branch

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Nicole Heena is the new executive director of the Andover/North Andover Branch of the Merrimack Valley YMCA. Heena, of Haverhill, joins the Merrimack Valley YMCA following a 17-year career at the North Shore YMCA where she worked as the associate executive director of the Salem YMCA and previously served as the Senior Creative Arts Director and Membership Director. Merrimack Valley YMCA President and CEO Francis J. Kenneally III said, “She has a deep commitment to the mission and service work of the YMCA and the leadership skills to take our talented team to the next level.”

Heena said she is “excited and grateful, calling Merrimack Valley YMCA “an organization that is clearly a cornerstone of the community and a welcoming home for so many.”

As executive director, Heena will oversee a staff of 150, manage a $10 million operating budget, and serve the needs of the branch’s 14,000 members. The Andover/North Andover YMCA offers a health and wellness center, three pools, gym, child care center and dedicated Active Living Center for older adults, while hosting more than 100 group exercises classes per week and dozens of youth and adult programs.

Education

Whittier Tech SkillsUSA Students Celebrate Placement of River Booms They Helped to Buy

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Students, faculty and administrators at Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School gathered at Clean River Project’s headquarters last week to witness the installation of two river booms paid by a student-led initiative. The booms, used to collect debris and help protect the Merrimack River, bear the Whittier Tech and Wildcat logos—symbols, school officials said, that represent the school’s growing commitment to environmental stewardship. “It feels amazing to know that something we helped raise money for is now out on the river making a difference,” said Hailey Rocker, an 11th grade student from Haverhill. “Seeing the Whittier logo on the booms made it all feel real—like we’re part of something bigger than ourselves.”

Building on this momentum, Whittier Tech SkillsUSA is planning to deepen its involvement with the Clean River Project during the next school year. The student team will shift focus to researching and raising awareness about microplastics—tiny plastic particles that pose a growing threat to aquatic ecosystems and water quality.

Business Bulletin

Groveland’s Neat Repeats Plans Jill’s Luxury Leather Goods Popup

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Jill Murray of Franklin will bring her refurbished luxury leather handbags, clutches and wallets to Neat Repeats at a pop-up event. Neat Repeats, a consignment shop, is hosting Jill’s Luxury Leather Goods event on Saturday, June 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 908 Salem St., in Groveland. Among the brands she will display are Louis Vuitton, Gucci, YSL, Prada, Dior and Burberry. Neat Repeats owner Julie Harmon recently left a career in health care to take over the local thrift shop. She accepts gently used clothing and accessories in good condition daily.

Community Spotlight

AgeSpan Seeks Nominations to Honor Five Worthy Seniors

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AgeSpan, a regional elder services nonprofit, is seeking five seniors who have a passion for learning. Five older adults who represent AgeSpan’s commitment to help people live vibrant, purposeful lives as they age will be honored with the agency’s Inspiring Lifelong Learning Awards at its annual meeting in November. Northern Essex Community College President Lane A. Glenn will serve as keynote speaker. Organizers say nominations should include stories or examples of how the nominee is pursuing education, learning new skills or engaging in personal growth. They should be 60 years old or older and live in one of the 28 communities AgeSpan serves.

Community Spotlight

Atkinson Women’s Civic Club Readies for Artisan Market

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The Atkinson Women’s Civic Club is gearing up for its popular spring Artisan Market. This year’s market will be held on Saturday, June 14, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Atkinson Community Center, 4 Main St., rain or shine. The event will feature 75 local crafters and food vendors along with a gift basket raffle and a 50/50 contest. Uncharted Watah will perform country, classic rock and rockabilly music. The Atkinson Women’s Civic Club uses proceeds from the event to support community organizations and projects in Atkinson.