Duffy Doings: Spring 2023

Duffy Doings

Season of Change

Our important work continues

Season of Change

A note from Heidi Nelson, CEO

At the outset of this year, we knew we had a lot coming down the pike. Plans included joining a new accountable care organization, adopting a new electronic health record, and some changes to our space to further integrate our teams. What we couldn’t have predicted was the water damage caused to our building on February 4, when Cape Cod experienced a cold snap that froze and burst many pipes across the region. As usual, our team turned on a dime to continue providing the care our patients depend on. There were hours of telehealth, days spent in the parking lot assisting folks seeking walk-in care, and endless meetings about how to get everyone safely back into the building. As of this writing - and thanks to a dedicated landlord - we are about 90% of the way there!

Our teams have managed a lot of change already this year. As of April 1, Duffy officially became part of the Community Care Cooperative (C3) accountable care organization. We now belong to a strong network of community health centers across Massachusetts that are working together to provide the most efficient, high-quality care to the most vulnerable and marginalized members of our communities.

As of May 1, we’ve joined our C3 colleagues in adopting and implementing the Epic electronic health record, including the MyChart patient portal with which you may be familiar. This transition allows our team to have better integration and coordination, both internally and with external specialists, most of whom already use the system. It will also help us improve communication with our

patients, allowing them to be engaged members of their care team. It’s been a huge undertaking, but with strong leadership from Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lisa Jones and a dedicated team, the transition has gone smoothly.

With all this going on, we did manage to squeeze in some fun! Through generous funding from the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, our team enjoyed a one-day staff retreat at the Wequassett Resort and Golf Club in March. I’m pictured above with Team Blue! It was a lovely day of team-building and camaraderie.

It has been easier to manage recent changes knowing that we have a wonderful community who supports us. We are so grateful to you for believing in our mission!

Heidi R. Nelson, FACHE CEO, Duffy Health Center

Susan Harrington, President

Christine Johnson-Staub, Vice President

James J. Cullen, Treasurer

Paulette Shaw Querner, Clerk

Kathleen Bresette

Miguel R. DaSilva

Jeffrey Haddad

David Hale

Stuart Murphy

Nicole Ouellette, Esq.

Vanessa L. Proc

Kurt E. Raber

Mary Rahal

Olympia Z. Ramos

Peter Scarafile

Richard N. Smillie

Michael Sweeney

Martha Taylor

Corrie Vilsaint, Ph.D.

Honorary Members:

Dr. Hub Mathewson

Dr. Chester H. Mohr

Dr. Neil Ringler

Andrew Singer, Esq.

Duffy Health Center Board of Directors

Out In Front

Patient Access Representatives serve as first contact for patients

By Christina Wiseman, Associate Director of Communications & Advancement

When I arrived to speak with our team of Patient Access Representatives, the team that oversees the reception area of Duffy Health Center, I wasn’t sure how positive they would be feeling. Their job is challenging on a good day, but they had been displaced by water damage in the clinic for almost 2 months, exacerbating the challenges of their job.

The waiting room and reception area is the central hub of action in the health center. Behind the desk, the team of Patient Access Representatives is actively collaborating with providers and support staff across disciplines to ensure effective communication with patients. In addition to keeping daily operations on track, they are engaging stakeholders over the phone - which seems to always be ringing - assisting patients in accessing services or directing calls to other parts of the health center.

“Oh, I love my job. It’s the best job I’ve ever had! Everyone helps each other, from the doctors and nurses to the medical assistants and support staff. Once you start understanding the rapport between different patients and also between patients and different members of the Duffy team, it becomes easier.”

- Carol Almeida

On the other side of the desk, they are welcoming our patients with a calm, reassuring demeanor that reflects an understanding of the fear and anxiety many of our patients associate with entering a medical facility. They are also overseeing the waiting room, a space in the health center where, if there is going to be upheaval, it’s most likely to occur, as patients may arrive at various points of distress.

I sat down with the team and provided a brief introduction to the task at hand: we are working on our newsletter and want to feature them for the role they play in helping patients access care. Theirs is one of the most important, yet difficult, roles in the health center, and can sometimes be a thankless position. I was admittedly surprised by their responses.

Team members not pictured: Melissa Samuelrich, Barbara Silvia

“I don’t feel like our job is hard. We come in, do our jobs, and have the satisfaction of knowing that we’re helping people. We’re like a family back here - we spend so much time together that we get really close and figure out how best to work together to support the needs of the health center.”

- Alisha Garrett-Williams

“I love the pace of the work, and since I have a background in other health care settings I recognize some room for improvement in how we do things. I was drawn to Duffy for its mission, and in this role I’m able to build strong connections with our patients and become familiar with their needs. We have a great team, and we all work together to get the job done.”

-

Bonnie Adkins, Front Desk Lead

“There are easy things that we can do to make patients feel welcome that mean a lot to them. Whenever I’m checking in a transgender patient, I pay special attention to identify them with their preferred name and pronouns. It makes a difference in how they feel about coming here. They tell us they feel safe here; it feels like a home to them.”

- Kathleen Oullette

On Board: New Directors

Serving our community through Board membership

This past fall, three new members joined the Duffy Health Center Board of Directors. Each had a meaningful connection to Duffy Health Center prior to joining the Board and have chosen to deepen their commitment to our mission through Board service. (Learn more about Board member David Hale on page 11.) We are grateful to have them lend their experience and expertise!

Nicole Ouellette, Esq.

Nicole Ouellette is a criminal defense attorney working with the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS, also known as the public defender’s office). She’s long been aware of Duffy Health Center’s services given her holistic approach with her clients. “I’ve had a general sense of what Duffy does for some time, even beyond medical care. The services have been really valuable to my clients; I’ve consistently been struck by Duffy’s approach, which is so person-focused.”

“Duffy Health Center isn’t just a health center. It’s a place where people can be heard, and seen, and have a lot of different needs met,” she observes.

Nicole does a lot of storytelling in her work, painting the story of individuals who have gone through difficult times or made poor choices but have now worked hard to turn their lives around. Her goal is to be “the best lawyer money can’t buy,” and she truly enjoys the opportunity to get to know her clients, tell their stories, and advocate for them. “So much of the time we see a lack of proper assessments for medical and mental health issues. It directly relates to the work that Duffy is doing. Our shared clients sometimes end up on the wrong path out of desperation.”

In her role as a Board member, Nicole hopes to use her connections to bring increased regional awareness of Duffy Health Center’s work. She is also a member of our Advocacy Committee, and shares, “There’s a very strong overlap with CPCS and Duffy,

so whenever I’m trying to effectuate change for my clients through my work at CPCS, it’s also going to impact Duffy patients.”

Michael Sweeney

Michael Sweeney comes to Duffy as a retiree, but not before he worked with our partners at Housing Assistance Corporation (HAC) for 35 years, most recently as the Chief Operating Officer. He was present when Duffy Health Center first began as a “clinic in a closet” at the NOAH Shelter (now St. Joseph House).

He explains, “Through running the shelter, the HAC team recognized how quickly minor medical issues could worsen and be exacerbated by homelessness. We recognized that we didn’t ‘do’ health care, so we allowed volunteers to come in and provide medical care. That evolved into Duffy Health Center.”

Years later, Michael still recognizes the important intersection between housing and health. “Without housing, sometimes you can’t even get health care. And without health care, you’re left at your lowest point, and what can you do? Those two things are just so critical.” His lifelong dedication to serving this population - which he does through several volunteer roles - made it an easy decision to join Duffy Health Center’s Board of Directors.

Michael shares that despite his familiarity with Duffy, he was struck by the expansive scope of our work, which he learned about through the Board interview process. “The work has gone beyond basic health care for the homeless with added services,” he says. “Making sure that recovery services, for example, are attainable and welcoming is so valuable.”

“We’re all in this together, it’s all our community, and it matters to all of us if people in our community can’t get their health care needs met,” Michael says. “Even if you don’t know them, it matters. It has an effect on our whole community.”

Population Health Months

Creating useful resources for our patients and stakeholders

Have you noticed a more clinical focus in Duffy Health Center’s communications this year? Largely driven by Emily Hildebrant, MS, Quality Improvement Manager, our team has taken a multi-channel approach to acknowledge nationally recognized population health months, both to highlight existing clinical and quality initatives and to educate our patients on important preventive health topics.

We know that this type of “homegrown” content is both relevant and useful to our patients. We all tune in a little more closely when we hear information from a trusted source. Monthly content is shared not only through eblasts and social media, but also on the Duffy website and on the television in our waiting room.

Clinical staff are also reminded of the monthly theme at their daily morning huddle, where they start each day. This helps them keep these initiatives top of mind as they move through the day seeing patients, encouraging them to perform routine preventive screenings. Below is a sampling of the content we have produced.

Medical Community Health Worker Denies SmithGrant oversees Duffy’s Self-Monitoring Blood Pressure program. Patients are provided with the tools needed to monitor their blood pressure at home, and they work closely with Denies as she leads them through a structured curriculum of lifestyle topics. The goals of the program are to improve access to care, to educate patients on wellness topics, and ultimately to improve patients’ heart health.

The addition of a gynecologist on staff - Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lisa Jones - has expanded Duffy patients’ access to reproductive health care, including routine screenings for cervical cancer. Access to an on-site specialist has increased care integration, providing patients who have built trusting relationships with members of our team to receive this specialized care in a place where they already feel safe.

Duffy patients in need of a colonoscopy are screened for factors that may impact their ability to complete the procedure. Do they have a safe place to prepare and recover? Do they have transportation and the required accompaniment to escort them after the procedure? We provide all of these resources to individuals who need them, so that no one misses a cancer screening due to socioeconomic factors.

Perinatal Mental Health

Providing services tailored to people who are pregnant and parenting

Seven years ago, Duffy Health Center was approached by Cape Cod Healthcare about partnership on a program called Moms Do Care, given our team’s expertise in treating addiction and supporting pathways to recovery. Funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Substance Addiction Services, the goal of the statewide program is to provide multidisciplinary, peer-led, recovery oriented, wrap around support for pregnant, postpartum, and parenting women with a history of substance use. Eligible women are those who are pregnant or parenting a child 3 or younger, who are concerned about their current or past experiences with substances. (healthrecovery.org/ page/moms-do-care)

The Duffy team gladly accepted the invitation to collaborate, as we tend to do when presented with the opportunity to be involved with an innovative new program. Since its inception, Moms Do Care has come fully under Duffy’s management. The team includes a Certified Addiction Registered Nurse, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and two Recovery Coaches with lived experience (pictured at right).

The Moms Do Care program is overseen by Daniel Rodrigues, LICSW, PMH-C, Duffy Health Center’s Director of Substance Use Disorder and Outreach Programs. With a background in maternal health and mental health, Danny has been an advocate for the women served by Moms Do Care and for the Duffy team members who run it, ensuring that they are trained to provide support to participants at any level they may need it.

Recognizing Needs

As Moms Do Care has evolved over the years, and in working closely with the individuals engaged in the program, the team began to notice that they seemed highly susceptible to perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMAD). Left untreated, these mental health challenges can evolve into crises, and they’re not uncommon during pregnancy and the first year postpartum and beyond.

As Danny shares, “There’s a lack of perinatal mental health support for the general public, let alone women who also have a history of substance use. Most support - including our program, for a time - is focused on the history of substance use, but not enough on the vulnerability to perinatal anxiety or mood disorders, which are unique unto themselves.”

After becoming certified in Perinatal Mental Health himself, Danny wanted to provide his team with the tools to support the women in our care through this pivotal time in their lives.

Bringing Expertise to Our Patients

In 2019, the Moms Do Care team attended a 2-day conference through Postpartum Support International (PSI) to learn more about perinatal mental health, how to identify it, and how to help clients distinguish between the “baby blues” and something more. Once the team became informed, the next hurdle was where to send them for clinical support.

Immediately, Amanda McGerigle, LISCW, PMH-C, Embedded Therapist on Duffy’s team for Office Based Addiction Treatment (OBAT), stepped forward with interest to acquire the certificate. “It’s important at Duffy that a qualified person is available to address whatever needs our patients have,” says Amanda. “Given where I sit on the OBAT team, I’ve seen that substance use is a risk factor for anxiety and mood disorders for people who are pregnant and for years after.”

Members of the Moms Do Care team: Jackie Chasey, Abby Weber, Alicia Gapstur, CARN (back, L-R); Sarah Ducie, Mariel Bitter, LICSW (front, L-R)

As Amanda notes, the population that we work with is often managing so much - trauma, mental health, substance use disorder - so layering in new parenthood can compound existing vulnerabilities. There is value in having Duffy clinicians who know them at their baseline and can recognize a change in patterns. “We do really well at building relationships with our patients, so we’ve created a space where they feel safe sharing thoughts and feelings that are associated with their pregnancy or in the postpartum timeframe that they may be scared to share elsewhere,” says Amanda.

Community Engagement

As has become increasingly apparent, there is a serious lack of resources for women dealing with perinatal mental health disorders. Over time, the Duffy team recognized the opportunity to offer support to the general public. Mariel Bitter, LICSW, PMH-C, was hired as the therapist for Moms Do Care, tasked with creating additional programming for participants. Mariel became Perinatal Mental Health certified, and has created a free, public PMAD support group, offering the opportunity for people

who haven’t asked for help before to come to a neutral location and learn more about available services before fully engaging. The group is offered weekly in Falmouth, Dennis, and at Cape Cod Hospital.

“Although I’m not a parent myself, I grew up with a mom who suffered from severe mental health issues so I have a deep understanding of how PMADs can impact the entire family unit,” shares Mariel. “I love working with the moms and seeing the love they share with their children.”

Mariel is not only facilitating these groups through her role at Duffy, she also serves on the Cape and Islands Maternal Depression Taskforce and as the PSI Regional Support Coordinator for Plymouth and Barnstable counties, providing for referrals and resources on behalf of PSI. Mariel has a vast knowledge of available resources and can refer women to those that are appropriate for their needs.

To learn more about Duffy Health Center’s PMAD support groups, visit the events section on our Facebook page.

To learn more about perinatal mental health, visit Postpartum Support International’s website: www. postpartum.net

Inaugural Health Equity Symposium

On March 10, members of the Duffy team attended the inaugural Health Equity Symposium organized by Belonging Books, Cape Cod Voices, and MA Mom Advocates. The day offered an in-depth look into the landscape of reproductive healthcare accessibility on Cape Cod and center the experiences of the Cape’s community of color. Danny Rodrigues, LICSW, PMH-C had the honor of serving on a panel at the event. (Pictured above, right)

Welcome, Primary Care Providers!

Two Nurse Practitioners have joined the Duffy team in recent months

Meaghan

Goorley,

APRN, FNP-C

Meaghan Goorley is in her twelfth year as a nurse, with experience ranging from Massachusetts to New York to Texas. Now on Cape Cod, her role at Duffy is her first as a Nurse Practitioner. “When I came to interview at Duffy and felt the energy, the teamwork and collaboration, it reminded me of a little hospital without the ER,” she says. “It runs like a well-oiled machine.” Coming from a hospital setting, Meaghan notes, “There are so many resources available to our patients, I feel I can be a better provider knowing that my patients are being supported from all angles. It’s different from inpatient care because I’m building relationships with them and get to see the progress they’re making over time.”

Hannah Deignan, APRN, FNP-BC

Hannah Deignan recently completed a combined program at Mass General Hospital’s Institute of Health Professionals, where she received degrees both as a Registered Nurse and a Nurse Practitioner. In this first role out of school, “I’m learning so much from our Duffy patients,” she shares. “Although our work can be challening at times, it makes it so much more rewarding when you get through to your patients.” She is grateful to have the support of the full Duffy team. “Every day is different, but collaboration makes for such a great environment,” says Hannah. “We start every day with a huddle. It’s a reminder that we all have one mission, one goal, and we each bring our expertise to accomplish it. We have a great team.”

Recommended Reading

If you are seeking to gain a better understanding of the work we do at Duffy Health Center, and more specifically, the patients we serve, Rough Sleepers by Tracy Kidder provides excellent insight into the work of providing health care for the homeless.

“In Rough Sleepers, Tracy Kidder...tells the story of Dr. Jim O’Connell, a gifted man who invented ways to create a community of care for a city’s unhoused population, including those who sleep on the streets—the ‘rough sleepers.’

“When Jim O’Connell graduated from Harvard Medical School and was nearing the end of his residency at Massachusetts General Hospital, the chief of medicine made a proposal: Would he defer a prestigious fellowship and spend a year helping to create an organization to bring health care to homeless citizens? Jim took the job because he felt he couldn’t refuse. But that year turned into his life’s calling. Tracy Kidder spent five years following Dr. O’Connell and his colleagues as they served their thousands of homeless patients. In this illuminating book, we travel with O’Connell as he navigates the city, offering medical care, socks, soup, empathy, humor, and friendship to some of the city’s most endangered citizens. He emphasizes a style of medicine in which patients come first, joined with their providers in what he calls ‘a system of friends.’

“Kidder explores how a small but dedicated group of people have changed countless lives by facing one of American society’s difficult problems instead of looking away.” (Source: Penguin Random House)

Unconditional Positive Regard

Welcoming two new Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners to the team

There is a term in the field of psychology called “unconditional positive regard.” It’s the act of offering complete support and acceptance of a person, not allowing their words or actions to change one’s opinion of their inherent value as a human. It is a key component of the care provided by Duffy Health Center’s psychiatry team, which is further bolstered by the team’s integration with Duffy’s other departments.

Some of the individuals in our care have unfortunately not been held in positive regard by society, or have primarily experienced relationships based on conditionality. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Myrna Janvier (top, second from left), who joined the team in February, shares, “When I was working as a nurse, I would get reports about certain patients’ behaviors that would not match my experiences with them. I realized that my rapport was different with psychiatric patients because I approached them without fear, and with the dignity and respect I would offer anyone else. That was what led me to pursue my advanced degree in psychiatry.”

The integration of care at Duffy Health Center facilitates the psychiatric providers’ ability to support patients in addressing the issues that may otherwise exacerbate their mental health concerns, such as medical issues, housing instabililty, or substance use disorder.

“Working in the community health center setting is really unique, especially at a place like Duffy, where everyone is so committed to our mission,” shares Carol LeProhon, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (top, second from right). “Many aspects of today’s medical field can feel transactional, but with the patientcentered model we’re able to take our time and work to build a relationship with our clients, offering them that unconditional positive regard. We have the ability to provide several types of support to them and work closely with their medical providers and

case managers to ensure the best outcomes.”

Dr. Deborah Field (top, left) has been providing care to individuals experiencing homelessness for over 30 years, and is a strong proponent of the Housing First model offered by Duffy’s Case Management team. She sees a deep connection between her patients’ mental health and the physical spaces they inhabit. “Nothing motivates people more than having housing,” she says. “When our patients get housed, they feel society values them so they start valuing themselves, holding themselves in a positive regard.”

“When I worked with psych patients through travel nursing, it took me back to the memories of a relative who died of a psychiatric illness back home in Cameroon,” shares Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Jacky Njebu (top, far right), who joined Duffy this past January. She has seen the ways that a lack of understanding of mental health issues can stigmatize individuals experiencing them. “I know the outcome would have been different if we had understood what was happening. I want to be of help here in America and back at home, where mental health issues are not well understood.”

Both Jacky and Myrna are recent graduates, and are glad to have landed at Duffy. Myrna shares, “I chose to be here because when I interviewed with the staff, what struck me was the structure and the support that they provide one another. Having that support will be really important to starting this new career.” Jacky also noted the team environment at Duffy, saying, “I wanted a job where I can grow and learn and really help people. The more I see of the work the Duffy team does, and all the different types of care provided to our patients, I know I made the right choice.”

We are grateful to our psychiatric clinicians for the care and unconditional positive regard they provide to our patients.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB)

Learning Opportunity: Visit to Fenway Health

At the end of last year, members of the Duffy team took a trip over the bridge to meet with colleagues at Fenway Health in downtown Boston. Fenway, known for its expertise in providing care to LGBTQIA+ patients, has been a resource and partner to the Duffy team for several years.

After a tour of their state-of-the-art facility, members from both teams had the opportunity to sit together and share ideas and strategies for becoming more equitable organizations, creating safe spaces, and just practices for both staff and the individuals in our care. We are grateful to our partners at Fenway for welcoming us and sharing so many wonderful ideas and resources with our team!

Deepening Our DEI Work: Consulting with Rosa Lee Hunter

For the past several months, Rosa Lee Hunter has been supporting Duffy’s DEIB Committee as we deepen our work within and across the organization. Rosa has been consulting with organizations like Duffy for over 20 years, with a focus on diversity, inclusion and equity through the lenses of organizational change, leadership development, and employee empowerment.

In her work with Duffy, Rosa has facilitated five story-boarding sessions with Duffy teams, using technology to elicit anonymous responses in real-time, facilitating conversations, and creating a safe space for staff input about our organizational culture as it relates to DEIB.

“I give credit to the staff for being active participants, who willingly shared both their lived experiences at Duffy and their hopes for what might be accomplished as the DEIB work continues and takes hold,” says Rosa. “Their hopes were to draw on the precepts of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to create spaces of Belonging within the organization, with Duffy’s partners and within the broader community.”

Rosa will report results of story-boarding sessions to the committee, who will also share them with leadership and our Board of Directors to formulate next steps in our DEIB Action Plan. We are grateful to Rosa for guiding us in this work.

DEI Presentation at the Community Health Institute

Each spring, the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers organizes a three-day conference for staff from community health centers across the state to gather and share innovative practices and programs. Duffy Health Center’s DEIB Committee Co-Chairs were selected to present at this year’s Community Health Institute after submitting a proposal for a session entitled, “Building DEI-B from the Ground Up.” Congratulations to Sara Grambach and Emily Hildebrant!

Left to right: Duffy’s Daniel Rodrigues, Fenway Health’s Steph DeNormand and Mark Brimhall-Vargas, Duffy’s Sara Grambach, Bonnie Adkins & Christina Wiseman

CAB Corner

An update from Duffy’s Consumer Advisory Board

The Consumer Advisory Board (CAB) is an appointed group of health center Consumers whose input is sought for strategic and operations improvement purposes on an ongoing basis. The primary mission of the CAB is to facilitate open communication between Duffy Health Center leadership and Consumers.

The CAB is a crucial source of insights about Consumer issues and concerns at Duffy. Members have the opportunity to influence decision-making at the highest levels and experience meaningful interaction with peers.

David Hale Joins Duffy Health Center Board of Directors

David Hale works at the PIER Recovery Center of Cape Cod as a Certified Addiction Recovery Coach and Peer Support Specialist. He has been a patient of Duffy Health Center for about 8 years, and 5 years ago he was recommended to our Consumer Advisory Board by a member of his care team.

Since that time, David has made valuable contributions to the CAB. Given his enthusiastic commitment to the mission of Duffy Health Center, he was invited to join the Board of Directors. “The reason I joined the Board is because of my years of lived experience and recovery,” shares David. “I like being involved, because I get a front row seat to the homelessness epidemic. Knowledge is power, and to beat the homelessness epidemic I’m going to need all the power I can get!” Congratulations to David on joining the Board - we are lucky to have him!

CAB Members attend National Health Care for the Homeless Conference in Baltimore

This May, Duffy CAB members Vanessa Proc and David Hale (both pictured above) will represent Duffy Health Center in Baltimore at the National Health Care for the Homeless Conference and Policy Symposium. Funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the theme of this year’s conference is “Toward Justice: Leading with Lived Experience.”

At the conference, Vanessa and David will “explore and demonstrate how providing health care to people without homes, addressing the effects of homelessness, and working to prevent and to end homelessness is a matter of justice.” The conference will also be a celebration of the 20th anniversary of the National Consumer Advisory Board and the people with lived expertise of homelessness who have been leaders in the movement to end homelessness. As stated on the conference website, “We know that people closest to the problems are those closest to the solutions.” (nhchc.org/ trainings/conferences)

Left to right: Pat Cawley, Senior Director of Program Services (retired); Vanessa Proc, CAB & Board member; Nichole Ewing, Administrative Assistant; David Hale, CAB & Board member

Career Opportunities

The mission of Duffy Health Center is to provide equitable, integrated primary health care and support services to people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness on Cape Cod, and to improve the quality of life for vulnerable and marginalized populations through community collaborations, leadership, and advocacy.

Being part of the Duffy team means making a difference. If you’re looking for a rewarding career that will have a positive daily impact on people’s lives, Duffy is the place for you.

Medical Opportunities

Medical Assistant

Registered Nurse

Supportive Services Opportunities

Patient Access Representative Connections Case Manager

Recovery Coach

Moms Do Care Recovery Coach

Outreach Case Manager

Safety and Security Specialist

Administration Opportunity

Director of Finance

Benefits Include:

Generous Paid Time Off • Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance • Vision Insurance • Life Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

403B Retirement Plan • FSA & HSA Plans

Medical Leave • Loan Repayment for Clinicians

Discounted Membership Opportunities

Learn more about starting a career at Duffy Health Center by scanning the QR code or visiting DuffyHealthCenter.org/careers

Positive Recognition

Duffy team member honored for her commitment

This June, Duffy Health Center’s Senior Director of Program Resources, Jane de Groot, will receive the Community Health Center Employee Award from the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers. Nominated by her peers, Jane was chosen to receive this award “in recognition of her exemplary work, professional excellence, commitment and compassion, which are representative of the community health center network and its delivery of health care service.”

As described by her colleagues, “Jane serves in many obvious capacities at Duffy in her role as Senior Director of Program Resources: grant writer, [liaison to the Health Resources and Services Administration], new program developer, historian, committee and task force chair, leader. But more importantly, she serves as an untiring advocate and resource for Duffy staff and patients.”

In her nomination letter, CEO Heidi Nelson wrote, “Jane has never met an evidence-based practice that she doesn’t like. Duffy embraced Motivational Interviewing early on, and practices Harm Reduction, Housing First, and Trauma-Informed Care. Jane brings professionalism and discipline to programs and services for marginalized and vulernable populations that can sometimes go off track if not carefully monitored. She is laser-focused on innovation, scanning the environment for funding opportunities, and best practices.”

Honorary board member Andrew Singer, Esq. noted, “Jane does her work without fanfare, but very efficiently, methodically, and successfully. Her ability to not just find and write the grants, but to win grants left, right, up, down, and sideways is the stuff of legend.” Founding board member Dr. Hub Mathewson adds, “Without her diligence, organizational prowess, steadfast advocacy, and skills in forging partnerships, Duffy would not be the success it is today in fulfilling its vital mission.”

Congratulations, Jane! Thank you for all you do in support of Duffy Health Center’s patients.

Notable Retirements

Three long-term team members recently retired from their service to our community. They are already missed!

Arlene Crosby (left) retired from her role as an Outreach Case Manager in February. She spent 17 years with Duffy Health Center.

Patricia Cawley, MSW (center) retired in March from her role as Senior Director of Program Services. She was with Duffy for over 10 years and played an integral role in developing our Case Management services.

Kay McGinn (right) retired in April after serving the essential role of Referrals Coordinator for over 15 years.

Ride with Duffy

Duffy Health Center is honored to participate in the inaugural Second Summer Cycle event, organized by the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce to benefit several local nonprofits doing important work in our community. Here are some details:

• Join us for the ride on Sunday, September 17, 2023.

• There are three ride options: 30 miles, 70 miles, or 93 miles.

• Each rider commits to raising $250 in support of Duffy Health Center. Fundraising tools are provided!

• All levels welcome: it’s a ride, not a race!

• Volunteer opportunities will also be available the day of the ride. Stay tuned for more information.

Learn more at DuffyHealthCenter.org/secondsummercycle

If you’re interested in riding with Team Duffy, please contact Team Captain Christina Wiseman at cwiseman@duffyhealthcenter.org.

Running to Restore Health & Rebuild Lives

Since 2000, Falmouth Road Race, Inc. has helped charity partners raise over $50 million and bring awareness to their causes. The Numbers for Nonprofits charity runner program not only assists charities in raising much-needed funds, it also brings people together and provides deeper meaning to running the ASICS Falmouth Road Race.

For the third consecutive year, a team of runners will represent Duffy Health Center on the 7.1 mile Falmouth Road Race on August 20, 2023. Each runner has commited to raising $1,500 in support of Duffy Health Center. This year’s roster includes:

• Sarah LapsleyMartin

• Brenna Lapsley

• Amanda McGerigle

• Kara Feidelseit

• Larry Feidelseit

• Jill Pieciak

• Samantha Cronin

• Christina Wiseman

• Sara Grambach

• Sydney Cochran

Use the QR code at right to make a gift in support of Team Duffy!

• Maura Crowley

• George Crowley

• Jackie McNamara

• Tim Sullivan

• Amy Sullivan

Team Duffy 2022

Events Calendar

Save the dates for upcoming community events!

Duffy Health Center Community Breakfast

Thursday, June 8, 2023

8:00 - 9:00 am

Hosted by the Cultural Center of Cape Cod

307 Old Main Street, South Yarmouth

We hope you’ll join us at the beautiful Cultural Center of Cape Cod for Duffy Health Center’s Community Breakfast, an event to celebrate our community and all we’ve accomplished together over the past year.

Join us in honoring those who support our work, including:

State Senator Julian Cyr Advocacy Award

To RSVP, email cwiseman@duffyhealthcenter.org or use the QR code below

James Hinkle & Roy Hammer President’s Award

Falmouth In From the Streets Partners Community Partner Award

Maureen Grandmont Volunteer Award

Jessica Chambers Cindy Glista Award for Staff Excellence

Continental breakfast generously offered by Andrea’s Kitchen AndreasKitchenCapeCod.com

Support Team Duffy in the 7th Annual Charter Cup Fishing Tournament!

Wednesday, July 12, 2023

Baxter’s Boat House Team Duffy Sponsored by Wendy’s Event Sponsored by E.J. Jaxtimer

Join us to celebrate Duffy’s work and mission at our annual event!

5:00pm | Thursday, November 2, 2023

Wychmere Beach Club

23 Snow Inn Rd, Harwich Port