 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 
 
   
|  Fairlawn Celebrates 15th Anniversary Former and current patients, community leaders, and hospital staff of past and present gathered for a recent celebration marking Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital's 15th anniversary. Following a tribute to the hospital's staff, Peter Mantegazza, CEO, commented on Fairlawn's unique history. "Until Fairlawn opened its doors fifteen years ago, people from the greater Worcester community who needed physical rehabilitation services had to travel long distances or do without those services," he said. "That changed in the fall of 1987 when Fairlawn became the first physical rehabilitation hospital in central Massachusetts and the first acute care hospital in the U.S. to fully convert to a rehabilitation focus." The celebration also included words of appreciation from Suzanne Broman, one of the first patients to receive rehabilitation at Fairlawn. Paralyzed by a spinal hemorrhage at age 26, Broman subsequently regained her mobility and returned to work. "Back then I had never even heard of Fairlawn, and rehab was a foreign word to me …but when I arrived at the hospital, what I found was a warm, loving, and caring group of people," said Broman, now 40 and the mother of an 11-year-old daughter. Staff Recognition Awards During the celebration, three staff members were honored for their outstanding dedication to patients and their families. Dr. Daniel Tanenbaum, medical director of outpatient services, received the hospital's Physician of the Year Award. Carol Grigas, a physical therapy assistant, was named Clinician of the Year, and Brian Waters, the hospital's head chef, received the Employee of the Year Award. Following the awards and presentations by community leaders, staff enjoyed a barbeque served by the hospital's senior management team.  Three Fairlawn employees were honored at Fairlawn's 15th anniversary celebration. Pictured with Peter Mantegazza, Fairlawn's CEO (far right): Dr. Daniel Tanenbaum, medical director of outpatient services, received the Physician of the Year Award; Carol Grigas, physical therapy assistant, was named Clinician of the Year, and Brian Waters, the hospital's head chef, received the Employee of the Year Award.  Suzanne Broman, one of the first patients to receive rehabilitation at Fairlawn, spoke at the hospital's recent 15th anniversary celebration. | ||||||||