Addison Gilbert Hospital Announces $150,000 Challange Grant

Funds will support hospital’s new Cardiology Suite 

Gloucester, MA (June 23, 2015) - The Addison Gilbert Society, a division of Addison Gilbert Hospital, received a $150,000 challenge from Gloucester residents Mollie and John Byrnes, inviting the community to join them in support of the brand new Cardiology Suite that opened this past spring.

"Addison Gilbert Hospital is committed to providing our patients with expanded, high-quality cardiac care conveniently located under one roof," said Cindy Cafasso Donaldson, Vice President, Addison Gilbert Hospital.  "We are grateful to the Byrnes family for offering this challenge, as this new Cardiology Suite offers the opportunity for a transformational change in how our Cape Ann patients can access needed care.  Through the Addison Gilbert Society, residents can help invest in the next generation of care right here at Addison Gilbert Hospital. "

The Byrnes family has been utilizing the services at Addison Gilbert Hospital since John was 5-years-old when he broke his arm after he fell out of an apple tree. They continued using the hospital for their children and have always appreciated the high quality care they have received at home in Gloucester. They offered this challenge to support a cardiology unit that has been an important part of the couple's lives.

Both John and Mollie have a history of heart disease in their family, so supporting a service that has been so critical in their lives was an easy decision.

"We are pleased to support the new Cardiology Suite at Addison Gilbert Hospital," said Mollie and John Byrnes. "It's so important for the community to have cardiac services close to home. We hope others in Gloucester appreciate the value of services like these and help us ensure that they remain in of our community."

This modern cardiology suite is located adjacent to the main entrance of the hospital. The new suite has prominent visibility and expanded access, easing cardiology visits for patients and their family members. It includes two new physician offices; two well-equipped patient exam rooms; an easy-to-navigate registration area; plus a spacious, serene patient and family waiting room. By co-locating the Cardiology Suite within the walls of Addison Gilbert Hospital, patients can receive a broad continuum of cardiology services all under one roof for efficient and exceptional care.

"Here on Cape Ann, we have a population at high-risk for cardiac disease," said Michael Arsenian, MD, cardiologist. "These patients deserve high-quality care as close to home as possible. We do not want to add to the burden of logistical challenges to weak, tired or stressed patients and their family members. This new Cardiology Suite will avoid that: Our patients will be able to receive the range of cardiology services they need - without delay and all right here at Addison Gilbert Hospital."

The Addison Gilbert Society will be honoring John and Mollie Byrnes on July 16 at its Gloucester Harbor fundraising cruise benefiting cardiology care.

For more information or to make a gift, please contact Rebecca Imperiali at 978.236.1624 or Rebecca.Imperiali@Lahey.org.

About Addison Gilbert Hospital and the Addison Gilbert Society

Addison Gilbert Hospital, a member of Lahey Health, is a full service, 70-bed medical/surgical acute care facility. The hospital, founded in 1889, provides state-of-the-art inpatient and outpatient care to residents of the Cape Ann community in specialties such as radiology, cancer care, primary adult and pediatric care, day surgery, midwifery, gynecology and maternity care, inpatient geriatric services, and emergency medicine. Addison Gilbert Hospital continues to score among the top hospitals in the nation for patient satisfaction in surveys conducted by Press Ganey Associates. For more information, please visit www.addisongilbert.org.

The Addison Gilbert Society honors donors who have chosen to invest generously in Addison Gilbert Hospital's future.  AGH's history is deeply rooted in a tradition of philanthropic support.  Going as far back as its inception in 1889, the hospital is named for Addison Gilbert, whose generous bequest established the facility.  Today, more than ever, Addison Gilbert Hospital relies on philanthropic support.  All donations to the society support Addison Gilbert Hospital.

About Lahey Health

Lahey Health is what's next in healthcare, providing a full continuum of integrated health services close to where you live or work. It is comprised of nationally recognized, award-winning hospitals-including an academic hospital and medical center, and community hospitals-primary care providers, specialist physicians, behavioral health services, post-acute programs such as home health services, skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities, and senior care resources located throughout northeastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. 

Lahey Health offers nearly 1,000 locally based physicians providing clinical excellence and an exceptional patient experience in adult and pediatric primary care and every medical specialty, including kidney and liver transplantation; neurosurgery, cancer, cardiovascular and orthopedic medical and surgical care; local emergency and trauma care; urological surgery; chronic disease prevention and health management; and pediatric emergency, newborn and inpatient care provided in collaboration with Boston Children's Hospital physicians. 

Lahey Health includes Lahey Hospital & Medical Center-a teaching hospital of Tufts University School of Medicine-and Lahey Clinic physician group with practices in Burlington, Peabody and other locations throughout northeastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire; Beverly Hospital; Addison Gilbert Hospital in Gloucester, Mass.; Winchester Hospital; Lahey Health Senior Care and Lahey Health Behavioral Services as well as more than 30 primary care physician practices and multiple outpatient and satellite specialty care facilities. 

Together, we are making innovative, integrated healthcare more personal and more accessible. For more information, visit LaheyHealth.org and its member websites Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, Beverly Hospital, Winchester Hospital, and Lahey Health Behavioral Services.