PROGRESS2025
These businesses are local and loving it …
n A community for gamers
n The science of sandwiches
n Two shops in full bloom
n Innovation in education
n A pub for all
n And so many more
At Rosa’s Tavern, it’s all about family, food and community
BY ELLEN LAHR
At Rosa’s Tavern, the secret is in the sauce(s) — and in the family inspiration behind every dish.
Located at 92 Waterman Ave., Rosa’s is a small, family-friendly restaurant where Portuguese and Italian comfort food are turned out with a modern twist by chef/owner Steven Costa.
An East Providence native, he grew up watching and helping his Portuguese grandfather cook traditional food.
“I would go with my grandfather to volunteer for different charities,” says Steven. “I started with prepping items in the kitchen, then starting to help cook.” His great-grandmother Rosa played a central role in raising him, and “I promised I’d name a restaurant after her. This place is for her.”
Now, his motto stands: “You may come in as a friend, but you will leave as family and my family never goes home hungry.”
Rosa’s menu mixes family tradition with fresh creativity. Dinner entrees, for instance, start with your choice of sauce: Alla Rosa (Portuguese brown gravy), Marsala, Francaise, Mozambique (with lots of lemon, garlic and saffron), Alla Papa – each with its own special twist. Then you pick your protein: chicken, shrimp, veal, steak, salmon, or cod.
The menu also offers Portugueseinspired sandwiches like Bifana, Chouriço and Peppers, and Caçoila. Appetizers include like Portuguese-style clams, Shrimp Mozambique and calamari.
“One night, I dreamt up this burger that I now call the Smokestack burger, a ground beef and Chouriço patty on a brioche bun, topped with bacon, caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato, a sunny side up egg, and I finish it with my Rosa’s Moonshine BBQ Sauce,” says Steven.
“It’s a different way to look at food,” Steven says. “I keep the traditions but do it my way — modern, flavorful, and made with love.”
Steven had his first restaurant job at age 14, at Riviera Restaurant in East Providence. As a busboy, “I knew immediately what I wanted to do, so everyday I would try to convince the owner to let me move into the kitchen.” One day a line cook quit and he advanced to sous chef.
Meanwhile, as a high school senior he took classes at Johnson & Wales through their early enrollment program. By age 18, he had a chance to co-own a restaurant in Canton, Mass., but the eatery didn’t survive the 2008 financial crisis. In the coming years, Steven worked in restaurants all around East Providence, eventually becoming corporate chef and manager at
B. Pinelli’s.
About four years ago, he saw a ‘for sale’ sign at a Waterman Street restaurant that had closed. He’d had a health setback and was eager to get back to his dream and passion, and saw his chance. His family, the ‘backbone of his life,’ said ‘go for it’ and he pulled together the money. As remodeling got under way he discovered stained glass windows with embedded roses. So it was meant to be.
Opening Rosa’s in East Providence made sense. Through his prior restaurant jobs and growing up as a ‘Townie’, he knew many locals who he hoped would follow him to Rosa’s.
“This is where I belong,” said Steven. Today Rosa’s seats 40, including the bar,
and it’s quickly become a local favorite, “You come in once, and we remember you,” Steven says.” His brother, sister and mom help out with the business.
The Washington Bridge closure in late 2023 took a toll on his business, and that setback is resolving more slowly than he’d hoped. His special event and catering operation provides special event fare, and this helps steady the business.
As a way of giving back to the hometown that has supported him over the years, he contributes food to many community events and organizations. One of his favorite contributions is his monthly cooking class at the Fuller Learning Center in East Providence.
“I started with around 20 people a year ago to now have 70 to 80 people attending,” he says.
He is president of a non-profit Portuguese organization in Rehoboth and a member of Elks Lodge #2337. He is a member of East Providence Area Chamber of Commerce and RI Hospitality, and he’s involved with other local non-profits. He also loves his regular cooking appearances on WPRI’s ‘The Rhode Show.’
Meanwhile, East Providence is on the
rise as a vibrant residential and business community, and Steven is glad to be a part of the transformation.
“I keep the traditions but do it my way — modern, flavorful, and made with love.”
STEVEN COSTA
Rosa’s fits in with its rustic interior and modern food flair. Friday is Ladies Night starting at 7, with an $8 martini menu. ‘Appy Hour’ happens daily from 3-6 p.m, and other fun events are also on tap. Rosa’s can be followed on Facebook (@RosasTavern) and Instagram (@rosas_tavern). Rosa’s website, where takeout orders can be placed, is rosastavern.com.
Steven’s 88-year-old grandfather, now getting around with a walker, still stops by to peek into the kitchen, proud to see the family legacy alive.
“That’s why I do it,” Steven says. “Family, food, and community.”
Steven Costa is proud to own and run his own restaurant, which is a tribute to family past and present. The inspiration for the name is his great-grandmother Rosa, and he says family is the “backbone” of his life.
Bitmask Games creates and empowers a gaming community
BY OLIVIA LABONTE
After two extremely successful years, Bitmask Games is opening enrollment for classes in the fall of 2025. Bitmask Games, aka “School of Rock” of gaming, is a great opportunity for kids to learn skills in game development, collaboration, and creativity.
Joe Granato, owner and educator of Bitmask Games, understands that gaming as a hobby can be very isolating for kids. Granato wants to encourage kids to find their tribe and build community within gaming. Bitmask Games is a great opportunity for kids that may consider themselves gamers to connect with likeminded kids and find validation in their dreams of “creating their own game experiences” (Granato).
Not only does Bitmask Games allow kids to connect with others their own age, but it also allows them to take a step into the professional gaming world. Recently, kids enrolled in Bitmask Games have had the opportunity to show off their projects alongside professional game developers at Pax-East in Boston. Pax-East is a convention for
game developers and gaming culture consisting of panels and expo halls filled with all things gaming. This kind of program allows these aspiring gamer developers to connect with others already in the field and get their foot in the door at a young age.
Bitmask Games has also gone through a recent expansion. They’ve grown their staff and added new class offerings. They have class opportunities for kids ages 7 to 18 and accept all levels of gam-
LOVE VIDEO GAMES?
ers. In these classes, gamers are encouraged to learn different computer skills. Game development can teach both hard skills including programming, animation, and game physics, and soft skills including problem-solving, teamwork, and communication. As the experience level increases, gamers will be able to take a game from concept to completion.
In the next few months, Bitmask Games will even expand into a home for e-sports education, and they are looking to expand locations across New England over the next year.
A program like this can’t run without a great leader at the forefront, and thankfully that role is filled by Joe Granato. He encourages kids to embrace their passions and quirks through game design. He creates a safe environment for kids to feel empowered and confident in their gaming skills. Granato is looking for more enthusiastic participants for the 2025 fall season. Young gamers are encouraged to sign up, learn game development skills, and meet likeminded kids to make their gaming dreams a reality.
Time to go from player to creator!
See your own game worlds come to life at Bitmask Games in Barrington. Learn from real, professional game developers in a functioning game studio right here in Rhode Island! Classes for all ages and experience levels in game art, music composition, programming, even tabletop gaming and Esports!
After building a local community around gaming, Bitmask Games has plans to expand the community, and their reach.
A local practice centered on care, access, and community
BY VANESSA COMBS
When Dr. Alyssa Findley opened her dermatology practice in East Providence, she set out to do more than offer medical services — she wanted to build something that truly serves the community she calls home. After years of practicing throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts, opening a practice locally felt both unfamiliar and deeply personal.
“It was a different dynamic,” she says. “But incredibly rewarding. I had neighbors and friends who didn’t even realize what I did until they became patients.”
At Findley Dermatology, patient experience is the priority. That means easy access to appointments, personalized care, and a compassionate, thoughtful environment.
“Access to care in this country is a major issue,” Dr. Findley explains. “We’re expand-
concerning changes that they find.
Findley Dermatology is accepting new patients of all ages. One standout is having such comprehensive care at the office, offering Mohs surgery and many laser and other cosmetic treatments. Dr. Findley has been practicing Mohs surgery, a precise,
care for her patients.
Another innovation is fractional CO₂ laser resurfacing, used both for cosmetic enhancement and for treating precancerous lesions. These technologies reflect Findley Dermatology’s dual commitment to skin health and patient confidence.
and in social media,” she says. “We want our patients to understand the science and trust that professionals will guide them safely.”
Education plays a big role in every visit — from skincare routines and acne treatment to sun safety and early detection. “We want people to live full, active lives — just more safely,” she says. “Skin checks are quick but essential. Catching things early can make all the difference.”
Beyond the clinic, Findley Dermatology is deeply rooted in the community. Located right in East Providence, the practice grows largely through word of mouth and personal recommendations.
The team also leads community outreach efforts, including a free beachside skin cancer screening held on July 18 in Bristol, participation in a local suicide awareness walk, and they will be hosting a blood drive with Rhode Island Blood Cen-
Gateway Hearing — Your Gateway to healthy hearing
Gateway Hearing of East Providence and Warwick evolving to better help those with hearing loss
BY TED HAYES thayes@eastbaymediagroup.com
Audiologist Holly Puleo, AuD, has seen it countless times and always finds it rewarding:
A new patient walks into one of the two Gateway Hearing locations she owns in East Providence or Warwick, and may not even know they’re suffering a hearing loss — a lot of times friends and loved ones notice it first, and so they come in for a checkup and to get answers.
Fast forward to the day they receive custom hearing aids or other services that improve their hearing, and “It’s like, ‘Wow! I didn’t know what I was missing’, Puleo said. “It’s very rewarding and one of the reasons I got into the health field in the first place — it’s been a good fit for me.”
Puleo holds a doctorate in audiology from the Arizona School of Health and
has spent her entire career, nearly 30 years, at Gateway Hearing. Gateway now operates out of two newer locations in Warwick and East Providence, having outgrown its previous locations over the past several years. Each has at least one licensed audiologist and a staff of office workers.
The field is indeed growing, but not because of what many might consider a likely cause — Rhode Island’s aging population.
Instead, Puleo said, “I’m seeing a lot more younger people coming in. I think the stigma of having hearing aids is less than it used to be; I think it’s more acceptable now. I’m seeing a lot more people in the 40s, 50s age group. It’s a noisy world out there and I think hearing loss might be starting sooner for a lot of people” than it once did.
That lessening of the stigma may have a lot to do with the technology, she believes. Once bulky, large devices that required hand adjustments and could not easily be hidden, technology has brought hearing aids and related hearing technology into a different age, Puleo said.
“The systems have evolved,” she said. “The aids themselves have changed so much alone from when I started. We used to have to adjust a tiny potentiometer in them with a screwdriver. Now they’re connected
wirelessly to computers and utilize artificial intelligence. It’s pretty amazing.”
Keeping up with rapid tech changes isn’t easy, and the State of Rhode Island requires audiologists to complete 20 hours of continuing education every two years to maintain their license. Meanwhile, Puleo was recently listed as a ‘2025 Academy Scholar’ by the American Academy of Audiology for amassing some 50 credits during that time period.
To her, the work it takes to stay in the field has been worth it — “I sincerely love helping people.”
Gateway Hearing specializes in several forms of testing, aural rehabilitation, earwax removal, hearing aid evaluation, fitting, cleaning and repair services, tinnitus management strategies and custom hearing protection devices.
The main Warwick location is at 215 Tollgate Road, Suite 303, and the East Providence location is at 197 Warren Ave., Suite 102. To contact East Providence or Warwick, call (401) 681-3067 or (401) 593-9655, respectively.
Melissa Houlihan
Holly Puleo works with a patient at Gateway Hearing.
A neighborhood pub, for family, friends and welcomed guests
BY ELLEN LAHR
For an East Providence family charmed by the vibe of a true neighborhood pub, and with a nod to the welcoming spirit of true Irish watering holes, Skeff’s Pub is the culmination of a shared family vision.
“We’re Townies. We live here, and we wanted to have a business in the community where we grew up,” said Eileen Harvey, who with her husband Paul opened Skeff’s at 507 North Broadway in mid-2022.
At the heart of the pub’s daily beat is their daughter, Shannon O’Brien, who keeps everything running smoothly as general manager, and her partner, Tyler Medeiros, their talented head chef; their two little ones add joyful chaos to the mix. Shannon even crafts cocktail menus alongside the award-winning bartender, Patrick Hamilton.
Eager to reconnect with their hometown, the family sold two
other establishments – Skeff's in Cumberland and Lou’s Cafe in Manville – to put all their energy into rooting Skeff’s in East Providence. They bought and renovated a former bar, transforming it into a friendly neighborhood pub, and since they opened, Skeff’s been a steady, growing success story.
From weathering Covid closures to the closure and construction on the Washington Bridge, Skeff’s has stayed open and vibrant, thanks to a resilient team.
“We put everything we’ve got into it,” said Eileen, who handles the financial and business side of Skeff’s.
Two of the pub’s bartenders, Mandie Vose and Patrick, who are also “part of the family,” have been with the Harvey family businesses since they opened the Cumberland pub in 2016. Tyler’s kitchen staff deserves every accolade they solicit, and it’s thanks to a strong team that Skeff’s keeps
adapting and moving forward.
Of equal pride to the family are their own unique twists on typical pub fare. In addition to what Eileen calls the usual ‘pub grub,’ Tyler has created some local favorites and rotating specials: a
popular Reuben egg roll, and a chef’s special egg roll, stuffed with whatever Tyler decides. Just about any dish – popcorn chicken, wings, or even a burger – can be dressed up with Tyler’s special ‘sweet ’n sticky Guinness sauce.’
The food is super-fresh and handmade from scratch ingredients, not pre-packaged or frozen.
Most evenings of the week there’s entertainment going on: Wednesday is trivia night; Friday is music bingo; Saturday brings live acoustic music, and on Sunday it’s football (NFL package) on 11 big-screens, accompanied by food and drink specials. Skeff’s hosts private parties, too, such as bridal showers, birthday parties, and more.
For Eileen and Paul, Skeff’s isn’t just a business for now, but for the future.
“We turned a neighborhood bar into a neighborhood pub, and we’re completely happy with what we’ve got – a great place where we want people to feel like they are just company in our living room,” Eileen says. “And now, we also have something for the kids to take over.”
Shannon O’Brien (left) and Eileen Harvey are part of the family team that runs the popular Skeff’s Pub in East Providence.
Gilmore’s Flower Shop Since 1936.
Two storied shops, one blooming future
Gilmore’s Flower Shop and
Check the Florist unite
BY VANESSA COMBS
After nearly a century on Public Street in East Providence, one of Rhode Island’s most iconic flower shops has found a new home — and a new chapter — at 76 Taunton Ave. in East Providence. In a unique blending of tradition and innovation, Check the Florist and Gilmore’s Flower Shop now operate out of the same location, bringing together two storied floral businesses under one roof while maintaining their individual identities.
For owner Mitchell Check, the move marks both a return to roots and a bold step forward. “We’re operating Check as one shop and Gilmore’s as another,”Mitchell explained. “It’s two shops on one site.”
This combined storefront preserves the legacy of both names, while also streamlining operations and expanding the offerings for customers.
The story of Check the Florist is deeply personal to Mitchell. “I was 12 years old when I started,” he said. “My father and uncle opened the first store in 1928. I just wanted to keep the family business going.”
What started as a single location grew significantly over the years, especially under Mitchell’s leadership. At one point, Check the Florist had five locations across the area in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Now, the heart of the business beats from this new shared space with Gilmore’s. Despite industry changes and economic challenges, Mitchell has remained focused on one thing: customer satisfaction.
“We’ve always tried to give a lot for the money,” he said. “We listen to what customers want — and unless it’s really off, we go with it. And if it’s off, we guide them in a better direction.”
Between the two brands, the newly combined location offers daily floral arrangements, weddings, funerals, and event flowers — essentially, flowers for every occasion. Their services are as varied and colorful as the arrangements themselves.
Keeping up with the latest trends is also a key part of their business model. Mitchell credits his talented team of designers for staying ahead of the curve.“They follow the trends — on Instagram, social media, or just through their own creativity,” he said. “Times change, and customers follow those changes. We take their lead and go with that.”
While the shop once relied on locally grown flowers, the industry has changed dramatically. Today, Check and Gilmore’s source blooms from Ecuador, Colombia, Israel, Italy, Africa, Canada, California, and beyond.
“There’s very little local product now,” Mitchell said. “It used to be all local. Now, it’s a complete turnaround. But we work hard to ensure everything is fresh and beautiful.”
Throughout it all, the support of the East Providence community has been a vital part of their success. Whether it’s helping customers celebrate birthdays,
weddings, or remember loved ones, Mitchell’s team sees themselves as partners in life’s most meaningful moments. “It’s always been about customer service and giving good value for the dollar,” he said simply.
The shop has also supported local events and causes, always eager to lend a hand — or a flower — to the community they’ve called home for decades. The path hasn’t always been easy. Price increases in recent years have made it harder to maintain value while staying profitable, and the COVID-19 pandemic brought its own set of obstacles.
“COVID was very difficult,” Mitchell
shared. “But interestingly, it was a little busy too. People couldn’t visit face to face, so they sent flowers.”
Still, Mitchell and his team adapted, and the shop kept going strong. Now, the focus is on looking ahead — with a few creative revivals on the horizon. This year, Gilmore’s and Check are reintroducing a popular offering from the past: “Two for Twosies” — two dozen roses at a standout value of $59.99, or $74.99 in a vase. It’s a nod to the shop’s roots, and a reminder of their commitment to quality and affordability.
They’re also bringing back something sweet — literally. Fruit baskets, once a staple at the Public Street location, are making a comeback. These will feature a mix of fresh fruit and snacks, perfect for gifts or special occasions.
The shared shop space on Taunton Avenue is more than just a building — it’s a symbol of longevity, adaptation, and deep community ties.
“We have very good staffing, and we’re still a family-owned business,” Mitchell emphasized. “We love what we do, and we’re proud to keep serving our customers.”
With nearly a century of experience behind them and a vibrant future ahead, Gilmore’s Flower Shop and Check the Florist are a living, blooming reminder that some traditions are always worth keeping.
Check the Florist and Gilmore’s Flower Shop work together, under one roof.
This local business can be a partner for any occasion, here setting the scene for a gorgeous wedding on the water.
time of year for celebrations and gatherings like prom and graduation parties, cookouts, hanging out at the beach and sumfestivities are in full swing. So is the presence of alcohol.
The time of year for celebrations and gatherings like prom and graduation parties, cookouts, hanging out at the beach and sumSo is the presence of alcohol.
we enter the summer months, parents and teens should rememthat underage drinking remains unsafe, unhealthy and illegal.
DISCUSSION ON BRIDGES
As we enter the summer months, parents and teens should remember that underage drinking remains unsafe, unhealthy and illegal.
Rhode Island law states that any host serving alcohol to minors at party or social function is responsible for those minors — even if leave your property. If a minor consumes or possesses alcohol your property, even without your knowledge or consent, you can be held accountable and face fines or civil lawsuits.
work together to reduce underage drinking for the health safety of our youth and our entire community.
Rhode Island law states that any host serving alcohol to minors at a party or social function is responsible for those minors — even if they leave your property. If a minor consumes or possesses alcohol on your property, even without your knowledge or consent, you can still be held accountable and face fines or civil lawsuits.
Let’s work together to reduce underage drinking for the health
distribution. Through hands-on learning, they discover how geometry, symmetry, and estimation play vital roles in building strong, balanced structures. While having fun designing and testing their own bridges, students are strengthening their math skills in a creative, engaging way. The program not only supports academic growth but also inspires confidence, teamwork, and a new appreciation for how math is used in the real world.
Trust and collaboration – The keys to making a difference
The Warren Prevention Coalition makes an impact by working with the schools, the town and their community
Trust and collaboration are at the heart of what the Warren Prevention Coalition has attempted to achieve for the better part of the last 35 years. And it’s because of those elements that the organization continues to be an integral part of the community.
The coalition’s latest endeavor included working with the town parks and recreation department director Tara Thibaudeau to offer a “Math Matters” tutorial in concert with the latter’s summer camp program. Teachers from the Hugh Cole Elementary School and Kickemuit Middle School are the instructors for Math Matters, which was derived through a grant from the Rhode Island Department of Education.
Math Matters focuses on the STEM curriculum — Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics — and is offered to students in grades 2-8. Some 40 children from the community are involved.
It’s actually part of a years-long partnership between the coalition and the Bristol Warren School District. Other similar programs are offered throughout the school year. Math Matters being in the summer is an extension of the symbiotic relationship that’s seen many positive results.
Maria Ursini and her colleague Ann Marie Roy lead the Warren Prevention Coalition, which does a significant amount of work in the schools, but also with other groups in the town. They’ve learned these associations have proven beneficial for all parties.
“We work with one another. We can’t do it by ourselves, just like this programming,” Ursini said, referring to the Math Matters project. “It’s a good thing we have parks and rec, because we partnered up with Tara, and we got camp students, we got the community involved. We got the teachers and they got some of the students who they knew could use the extra help. And then they contacted some of the parents. So you see how it just kind of all rolls into one, and it just becomes a really good working community.”
The coalition needs to create a connection, a genuine relationship with those they’re attempting to aid, for it to be successful in its main aim of prevention substance abuse.
“It’s about learning. It’s getting the trust from the community so that they can see
“We are as strong as we are because of the community trust.”
MARIA URSINI, WARREN PREVENTION COALITION COORDINATOR
what we’re doing with the students and then, just like with anything else, then you put a piece of prevention in there as far as substance abuse and misuse.
“So that’s what gives us that opportunity. We’re working with a student, but yet we’re hoping to educate the parent on what we do as far as prevention goes.”
The Warren Prevention Coalition’s roots can be traced to the first, true national effort to combat drug and alcohol use and abuse in the late 1980s. Since, it’s not only assisted children, but others who have dealt with those issues.
It continues to be the fulcrum of its functions today, like its work with the Hope and Cope organization based out of
The Warren Prevention Coalition often partners with the local schools on enriching programs.
St. Mary of the Bay Church. That partnership stemmed from the annual candlelight vigil the coalition holds each August to highlight substance abuse and recovery.
“We are as strong as we are because of the community trust,” said Ursini. “And with that, we have the opportunity to be able to work with organizations whether it’s with the East Bay Recovery Center or the homeless or with HEZ (Health Equity Zone) or what we’re are able to do with the climate change. We work with individuals that need certain things done that we, as a prevention, don’t have the expertise, but they do. So we reach out to those partners. We know we can’t do everything by ourselves.”
Again, the Warren Prevention Coalition’s work, in large part, comes down to those very important elements: trust and collaboration.
“If we don’t have that connection to the community, then it’s really difficult. Because you can’t do it without the community,” Ursini added. “That’s how these programs are successful because of everyone in the community, not us not just us bringing it into the community, but we need their work input.”
Warren Prevention Coalition coordinators Ann Marie Roy (left) and Maria Ursini.
Conscious Discipline and cutting-edge innovation at The Wolf School
When it comes to providing a quality education for children with complex learning needs, no school in Rhode Island is more on the cutting edge than The Wolf School.
The Wolf School model is unique for a number of reasons. Wolf works with Complex Learners, K-8 students who often have multiple learning challenges and struggle in a traditional school setting. Wolf offers small class sizes, a low student-teacher ratio, and an innovative teaching model where services are integrated into the classroom experience, along with sensory supports, individualized instruction, and a welcoming community.
Throughout its 27 years, Wolf has continued to integrate new concepts and best practices in the field of special education, committed to ensuring a highquality experience for their students and families.
In an effort to stay focused on the emotional well-being of both staff and students, The Wolf School recently began a school-wide implementation of Conscious Discipline®, a self-regulation program that focuses on the emotional health of both adults and students. Con-
scious Discipline® seeks to address the issue that school staff cannot be expected to attend to the social-emotional needs of students when they haven’t addressed their own. As the adults in a school community learn how to stay calm and take care of themselves, they’re able to see big
Discover a school as unique as your child
emotions or dysregulation as an opportunity to teach. As staff learn to self-regulate, they are more capable of teaching this knowledge to help students learn to do the same.
With the program focusing on building community and connections in each
classroom and school-wide, the core of Conscious Discipline® aligns seamlessly with the Wolf School’s mission and core values. Since its inception, The Wolf School has understood the importance of brain states – when a student is regulated, they are able to access learning. Conscious Discipline® expands this idea to clarify that in order for students to be able to learn and problem-solve, they need to feel safe and connected to their school community.
Founded in 1999 with only 3 students in a rented classroom, The Wolf School began as just a dream - to bring an innovative idea into reality and meet an unmet need in the special education community. Today, The Wolf School educates 74 students from all over RI and MA in their own space in Rumford.
“At Wolf, we understand how important it is for us to nurture the emotional well-being of our students,” said Anna Johnson, Head of School at Wolf. “By integrating social-emotional lessons into the curriculum and throughout the school day, our students are gaining social skills, emotional growth, and regulation strategies that will serve them well beyond their time at Wolf.”
The connections between student, staff and family are critical to success at the Wolf School.
Tim the Plumber – It’s all about the customer experience
BY OLIVIA LABONTE
Customer satisfaction is the number one goal of the crew at Tim the Plumber. Since 1989, their motto has been “quality over quantity,” and it shows in the work they do and the responses from past customers. As a navy veteran, Tim Gardiner has run his business with the perfect balance of efficiency and personal interactions with his valued customers. The value of working with a small company like Tim the Plumber is when you need work done in your home, you speak directly with Tim. There are no third-party barriers between the client and the owner. Tim prides himself on offering quality service. He has been known to respond to customers with immediate plumbing needs at late hours of the night and provide next day plumbing services. One look at first hand customer experience is evidence of Tim’s customer-oriented mindset. A customer noted that she had Face Timed Tim asking for guidance on how to get her heat working again, through no malfunction of work done by Tim the Plumber. Customers often go back to Tim when new problems arise in their homes. The motto “quality over quantity” does not stop at the service they do at Tim the
Plumber, it also applies to the crew. The backbone of a good plumbing business is the crew. Tim hires licensed and experi-
enced handy men who strive to provide exceptional service. A good crew is always willing to face challenges head on and ensure a safe environment in customers’ homes. Tim and his crew are always ready to help customers right away and review any situation at hand.
Services at Tim the Plumber include anything from construction and renovation work to drain cleaning. They provide replacement services for restroom appliances, water heaters, and boilers. Tim also offers military and senior discounts. He makes a point of not upselling his customers and providing them with fair pricing options. His team is trained to make honest diagnoses of issues in customer’s homes.
Veteran-run companies often provide a sense of duty, integrity, and reliability for their customers. Tim the Plumber is no different. Tim’s experience in the Navy has allowed him to gain skills in leadership, discipline, and adaptability. He uses all these skills to make his business a well-oiled machine while focusing on the customer experience. For people who value supporting veteran-owned local businesses, Tim the Plumber is the perfect option for you.
Tim Gardiner (back row, second from right) poses with his dedicated team.
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At Starr, the customer always takes center stage
It’s all about family at Starr Opticians, located at 235 New Boston Road in Fall River.
Founded in 1937 by Dr. Nathan Starr, he first established his practice in downtown Fall River, where the business successfully operated on South Main Street for many years. Initially, Dr. Starr was a jeweler as well as an optometrist, but in 1958 he gave up his jewelry business in order to concentrate exclusively on diagnosing his customers’ vision issues and dispensing corrective eyeglasses.
In 1970, Howard Starr joined his father in the optical business; in 1986, Howard moved Starr Opticians to South Main Place. Joined by his wife Barbara, the Starrs operated in South Main Place until 1995, when Howard and Barbara moved to their current New Boston Road location.
In 2001, Rebecca Starr, Barbara and Howard’s daughter, joined the family business. Today, she is leading the 88-year old company into a new age — one that presents emerging challenges unique to the optical business. The ability of consumers to purchase prescription eyewear online has shaken the foundations of this industry. But what consumers gain with
After 88 years, Starr Opticians continues to adapt, innovate and thrive.
the convenience of shopping for eyewear at home often comes with a sacrifice of quality, lower satisfaction, and in some
cases, the accuracy of the prescription. Rebecca notes that customers occasionally bring their online purchases in, look-
ing for adjustments.
When you come into Starr Opticians, you are teated like family. Their experienced Vision Consultants adhere to the philosophy of using only the finest available materials while offering personal, professional care. As the technology of eye care has changed, Starr Opticians has never lost sight of its commitment to customer service, quality and innovation.
Starr Opticians carries a wide variety of eyeglass styles for men, women and children, at great prices, with great service.
“When you come in to Starr Opticians, we go out of our way to provide that personal, old-fashioned service,” said Rebecca. “You just can’t get that from ordering glasses on the internet.”
With their knowledge and experience, Starr Opticians consistently exceeds the expectations of their customers, in both the eye care products they offer and the professional services they provide.
Starr Opticians is committed to maintaining their long-established tradition of honesty, generosity and family values in the greater Fall River community.
“We’re proud to offer the same great quality, service and prices, as we have for these many years,” said Rebecca.
Where teaching and learning meet community and faith
BY ELLEN G. LAHR
When families are searching for private schools in the area, they may consider several options within the East Bay. One of those options is Barrington Christian Academy, the only K-12 Christian school in Rhode Island.
Founded in 1979, BCA is a fully accredited, independent Christian day school where instruction weaves traditional subjects with faith-based Christian values. In addition to special classes such as audio/ visual technology, art, music, and performing arts, students also attend weekly chapel and Bible classes. Barrington Christian Academy is home to families of 180 elementary, middle, and high school students, as well as 20 additional ‘hybrid’ students from the region.
As the head of school, Michael Skazinski sees a common thread among BCA educators, parents, and students who are drawn to the smaller private school setting.
“When you have people who choose us, they tend to have shared values and expectations, and they want excellence for their children as well,” said Skazinski.
BCA has a student-teacher ratio of about 15-1; no class has more than 20 students. A small teaching and learning community means all students are uniquely visible, and they are highly accountable for their education, social interactions, and day-to-day choices. The school has a 100 percent graduation rate.
The teachers at BCA, says Skazinski, “are the best group of people I have ever worked with. They really know the students.” There is a strong teacher reten-
tion rate this year, continuing the positive trend since COVID, when teacher attrition was higher everywhere.
BCA students travel to the Barrington School from Providence, Johnston, Coventry, Cranston, Providence, East Providence, and neighboring towns, and those districts provide public transportation to the school. Another 20 percent of students come from Massachusetts, with those parents arranging their own transportation. BCA also has local
students from Barrington and Warren.
Skazinkski said he is observing a gradual uptick in new student inquiries, possibly related to a trend of more churches cropping up in nearby communities, along with word of mouth and marketing efforts. There is also a solid contingent of Spanish-speaking students affiliated with Providence churches.
Parents play a strong role in the school's success and community environment by attending school musicals, sporting events, and other functions. BCA parents are also heavily involved in volunteering regularly to help support the school's efforts. The BCA school culture reflects the motto that “it takes a village,” he said.
"For families considering a small, private Christian school for their child", he said, "the best way to get a feel for BCA is to come and visit, the doors are always open."
“Visiting is the best way to see, feel, and understand BCA,” he said, noting that educational consultations are free of charge and can be scheduled directly with the head of school with this link: https://meetings.hubspot.com/ mskazinski
Forget everything you ‘knew’ about sandwiches
A fresh renovation, and always fresh ingredients, will put this East Providence spot at the top of your list
BY ETHAN HARTLEY ehartley@eastbaymediagroup.com
If you were asked to picture a “sandwich” inside your mind, and your brain proceeded to conjure an image of two sad discs of bologna slapped between two pieces of bleached white bread with some Miracle Whip, you are in dire need of an intervention.
And there’s no one in the sandwich game better equipped to bring you back from the depths of culinary despair than the friendly folks over at Italian Corner in East Providence.
Geography smiled on the Ocean State when Osvaldo Pirro (a native of Milan, Italy) and his wife, Angela, decided to open up Italian Corner in 2005 at 10 Boyd Ave., which sits right off the highway less than a quarter mile from the western border of Seekonk. As a result, Rhode Islanders and all traveling through the I-195 corridor can experience their own tastebud revolution seven days a week if they so desire.
Now in the midst of celebrating its 20th year of operation — and since Pirro passed the torch to his brother-in-law, Massimo Dell’Olio, and his wife, Paola, in 2020 — Italian Corner continues to serve up the fundamental essences of Italian cuisine worth consuming; a true family business based upon fresh, high-quality, simple ingredients, made with care, consistency, and one other key ingredient. Authenticity.
“In Italy you’re going to get one meat, one cheese. Very simple. It’s not about more,” general manager Josh Stiness said. “I think some of our sandwiches really highlight that. The approach of just one meat and one cheese and maybe some arugula.”
For example, you won’t find the vaunted “Italian grinder” on their menu like you would at hundreds of other sandwich shops in the region. Not because they don’t serve one (they do), but because even their naming conventions hold true to what authentic “Italian” sandwich would actually be.
So instead of ordering a vague “Italian” sandwich, with multiple meats, provolone, and veggies, at Italian Corner you would order the “Combination”, and prepare to be dazzled by a portion-perfect blend of Genoa salami, Canadian ham, hot capicolla, provolone cheese, lettuce and tomato — a sandwich that was liter-
ally just crowned the best in the state by RI Food Fights in early 2025. And what binds all of it together — whether you’re getting a simple salami and cheese, an eggplant or caprese, or you’re ordering a bundle of options for a work function — is their house-made salsa verde. A magical mixture of parsley, garlic, capers, onions, white balsamic vinegar, olive oil, vegetable oil, and anchovy paste, mingling together within a sometime-controversial binding ingre-
dient as a base.
“It seems to be a little bit of a polarizing ingredient because it is mayo-based,” Stiness said. “But it is a typical dressing that you'd see for a cold meat in Italy. So I think the people who know, they know, and come back for it. We sell it in 8-ounce containers and we can hardly keep it on the shelf.”
The ‘Triple D’ effect Italian Corner was doing well in its first
few years of business, but they experienced a slingshot into the stratosphere when they were able to swing an appearance on the infamous Food Network comfort show, “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives”, with the one-and-only Mayor of Flavor Town, Guy Fieri.
Featured in the 9th episode of the 15th season of the show, Fieri found himself enamored by the Italian Corner’s use of an automated tortellini machine for their homemade pasta, the freshness of their ingredients, and how much of the work was done by hand.
The growth since has been remarkable, according to Dell’Olio.
“When I first started here in 2007, on our busiest day we were not even getting close to 100 sandwiches a day. Today, on a not busy day, we’re hitting 300 sandwiches a day,” he said. “On a busy Saturday, we hit probably 560 in one day.”
Despite it’s decently large footprint, over 20 employees, and a newly-renovated storefront — where a seemingly endless assortment of meats, cheeses, and freshly made prepared foods peek out from behind the glass — Italian Corner still manages to feel like a calm, neighborhood family sandwich shop where the staff knows your name, and where the next best sandwich of your life is just around the corner.
ETHAN HARTLEY
Cassie Waldron prepares a “Combination”, which includes Genoa salami, Canadian ham, hot capicolla and provolone cheese, with their house-made salsa verde dressing, lettuce and tomato.
RICHARD W. DIONNE JR.
Led by husband and wife team Massimo and Paola Dell’Olio (front), along with long-time employee and now general manager Josh Stiness (to Massimo’s left), Italian Corner in East Providence is a family business at heart that takes its commitment to serving up authentic, delicious Italian food very seriously.
— Lisa G.
Made in Warren: More than a gallery
BY ELLEN G. LAHR
For 37 local artisans who have found a retail home at the Made in Warren gallery on Main Street, art-making often happens in the quiet solo setting of a home or garage art studio. Creating in the traditional mediums of clay, paint and fabric, or more eclectic copper, cork or potato starch and glue, they may not be on the radar of the audience that might want to see, touch, appreciate and buy their work.
To find their customers, artists may have been on the seasonal craft fair and farmer’s market circuit, always a weather and crowd gamble. They may sell their work online or in boutiques. It’s no secret that making a living making art can be artistically rewarding yet financially challenging.
“We’re not always big business people, not always great at marketing our work,” said Barbara Larned of Barrington, a retired art teacher and collage artist who works with paper — paper only — and many tools to make jewelry. “We tend to work alone.”
In January, Made in Warren will be celebrating 10 years. In 2016, some artists got together, formed a nonprofit collaborative and rented a prime storefront at 476 Main St. with generous windows, light and foot traffic. Artists were invited to apply to join the collaborative and, for a monthly membership fee, could share a bright, elegant retail space for their creations.
But ask the Made in Warren artists why they love this shared space, retail exposure is not always the first answer. Instead, they speak about the growth and evolution of the cooperative as an inspiring community of talented artists, professional support and the shared work of running the nonprofit collaborative and gallery. Each artist takes two four-hour shifts per month, and many serve on the board or committees.
The gallery has survived its start-up phase, COVID, the challenges of running a brick-and-mortar gallery. Now, progressing forward, Made in Warren is exploring new ways to team up with other Warren galleries to build more events and foot traffic.
“Here we get ideas, encouragement, community, camaraderie — it’s a real cooperative,” said Kathy Wise of Barrington, who arrived at the gallery about four years ago with her collection of bright, soft fabric sock dolls and toys. Her creations added a kid-friendly, playful vibe to the gallery, alongside other artists’ creations.
Kathleen Venice of Swansea, a retired art teacher and a pastel painter, was introduced to the gallery by her husband, Paul Venice, whose wooden trucks, cars and toys are also on display. The gallery artists include retired art teachers, working younger people, a drone pilot, trades professionals and others. Ken [Vieira] is an HVAC professional by day who recycles copper from his work into sculpted jewelry for men and women, sometimes pairing copper and silver. There are a social worker, a psychotherapist, a government
employee, teachers and others. One talented gallery artist, a jeweler, graduated to a job with Tiffany & Co., the luxury jewelry company.
Megan Douglas, a retired physician and potter, is a board member and treasurer; she also handles marketing and PR for the cooperative.
Years ago, she took a pottery class at Mudstone Studios and fell in love with clay. Finally, her family told her she had to start selling her work because there was no room left in their house. That’s when she became involved with Made in Warren.
Artists apply yearly for gallery space, and because artists may come and go,
there is always a fresh variety on display. Artists are responsible for their own presentation spot and product descriptions; fellow artists are at the ready with ideas and suggestions.
Today, visitors can marvel at cork purses or wallets made by Amy Zygmont of Swansea, MA. There are Peruvian figurines (retablos) and threedimensional creations made with potato starch, glue and bright, cheerful color, crafted by Zuly Palomino Jiminez, and much more.
The gallery takes no commission on sales; the artist receives all proceeds but their monthly membership fees cover overhead costs. And prices are within reach for a typical gallery visitor seeking textured, colorful dishware, decorative functional home goods, toys, jewelry, fabrics, knitwear and more.
“For one artist to have a storefront can be overwhelming,” said Douglas. She noted, “We’ve grown and expanded with a wide variety of artists and mediums, and we are now a functional and well-oiled machine. And we are excited to be part of the Warren community of artists and businesses.”
Megan Douglas (above) and a team of artists combine to create a unique, inspiring and colorful shop in the heart of Warren.
Transform your bathroom with Bath Fitter Rhode Island
When it comes to home improvement, the bathroom is often one of the most overlooked spaces. However, a modern, well-designed bathroom can dramatically enhance both the functionality and value of your home. That’s where Bath Fitter Rhode Island, led by local franchise owner Daniel Keating, comes in. With decades of expertise and a reputation for quality, Bath Fitter is transforming bathrooms across Rhode Island—one tub at a time.
What Is Bath Fitter?
Bath Fitter is a national brand known for its innovative, custom-fitted acrylic bathtub and shower solutions. Unlike traditional remodeling projects that can take weeks and involve messy demolition, Bath Fitter specializes in fast, clean installations—often completed in as little as one day.
At Bath Fitter Rhode Island, every installation is handled by trained professionals and backed by a lifetime warranty. Their seamless, one-piece wall systems are custom-made to fit over your existing tub or shower, offering a watertight seal and a fresh new look without the hassle of a full renovation.
Why Choose Bath Fitter Rhode Island?
We are a family owned and operated business that started serving Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts in 1995. Over the years we have seen many companies offering bath remodels and products come and go, but we have stayed strong for 30 years. We are here to stay!
Each of our estimators and installers have worked with this franchise for more than 20 years. Our highly trained staff, quality products, and attention to detail have resulted in continued growth and success over the past three decades. We have worked on thousands of residential and commercial installations, making us your ideal bathroom renovation solution. From our custom tubs and showers to our exclusive one-piece wall system, we have thousands of options to help you decide. You can be confident that your bathroom will be a perfect fit that you can customize to meet your needs. Our products and services include bath remodeling and shower remodeling. Currently our most popular transformations are tub to tub and tub to shower conversions! Unlike any other
Often the most overlooked part of the house, a bathroom can enhance the look, feel, functionality, and value of your home.
competitor, we offer a SEAMLESS WALL SYSTEM from your tub or shower to your ceiling. Our estimates usually take less than an hour and are low pressure. Our price is our price! Be wary of a company that can offer thousands in discounts if you “act now”. We offer various financing options, and our BATH FITTER products have a lifetime warranty. We look forward to working with you and welcoming you to the BATH FITTER FAMILY!
160 Franklin St, Warren, RI (401) 366-2763
www.bathfitter.com/us-en/location/ rhodeisland/
A modern approach to mourning
Smith Funeral & Memorial Services evolves to meet diverse needs
of today’s families
BY JIM MCGAW jmcgaw@eastbaymediagroup.com
A modern-day funeral home in Warren, where tradition meets innovation, is redefining how families say goodbye to their loved ones.
Smith Funeral & Memorial Services, at 8 Schoolhouse Road, is more than just a place for farewells. It offers a full spectrum of services to honor lives in deeply personal ways — from dignified cremation options for both humans and beloved pets — to a warm, inviting banquet-like space where memories can be shared over food and conversation. Smith’s is not the funeral home of generations past; it’s a compassionate, contemporary space designed to reflect the diverse needs, values, and rituals of today’s families.
“I think people need to be a little more open to different kinds of services, because that’s where we’re going these days,” says Catherine Tattrie, the managing director there and a fourth-generation funeral director/embalmer.
For example, there are three different rooms — two of them can be converted into one larger space — where services and visitations are held. The largest room, however, can also be transformed into a banquet-type space where families and friends can return after services or the cemetery to gather with food, drinks, and memories. They’ll customize the room to fit any family’s wishes.
“Some people don’t want to go to a public restaurant to grieve,” said Catherine. “We had a teacher who had passed away and they brought in all of the things that he decorated the classroom with. We had everything set up. There are so many things we can do here that you might not do in a restaurant.”
Added her daughter, Audrey, “We had a great time setting it up because it helped us know the family better.”
The large lobby area has also been used for different functions, such as fund-raisers for various community groups.
How it started
The business’s roots run deep in Warren and the Bristol County community in general. “We’re one of the few left in this area that is still family run and owned after over 140 years.”
The funeral home, which serves families in Bristol County and Massachusetts, trac-
es its roots to the 19th century, when founder William H. Smith ran a general store that sold caskets alongside furniture. He later learned the craft of embalming and the business modernized and later expanded to include a second location in Bristol.
The business remained a family legacy, with each generation contributing to its growth. After the passing of her father and mother, Rosemary Alden took over ownership and her daughter, Catherine Tattrie, designed and built a new funeral home on Schoolhouse Road in 2007. In 2011, she added a crematory and a pet cremation business, Faithful Friends Pet Crematory, which is managed by her daughter, Audrey.
Catherine said her mentor was her grandfather, Augustine “Gus” Smith, William’s son. “He was just so gentle with people, and he had a great memory. He was just a very caring person who worked really hard at the business,” she said.
Cremation services
Like many funeral homes, the Tattries’s has modernized to meet the demands of families who choose cremation over traditional burials for their loved ones — including pets of all kinds. There’s a crematory facility located right next door to the home, with separate furnaces for humans and pets.
“We keep the custody of your family member, which stays with us,” said Cathe-
rine. “Other funeral homes have to bring it somewhere else, off site, so I like that we have control. And our crematory operator, Dave? I couldn’t say enough good things about him and how he cares about every person that comes into our care — including pets.”
The home does anywhere from 40 to 50 cremations of pets a month — and that number is growing. The business will help the families craft an obituary for their deceased pets, which can be shared on social media. And we’re not talking just dogs and cats.
“We did a llama recently,” said Audrey, who listed off a number of different species that families have brought in: Goats, guinea pigs, bearded dragons, ferrets, even rats and a tarantula. Pets of all kinds are still family. Besides selling urns to hold their remains, the business even offers prints or clay moldings — such as a paw or nose — that can be kept as keepsakes.
Catherine said the key to running a successful funeral home is simply caring about others.
“My grandfather instilled that in me that you just have to treat people like you would want to be treated,” she said. “I’m going to treat them, their family, like I would want my grandmother treated. I have a phenomenal staff that has the same mindset that I do.”
For more information, visit https:// wjsmithfh.com or call 401/245-4999.
Catherine Tattrie (left), managing director of Smith Funeral and Memorial Services, sits with her daughter Audrey inside one of building’s large rooms which can serve not only as a place for services and visitation, but also as a small banquet area for families to gather for remembrances and food and drinks afterwards.
Audrey Tattrie, who manages Faithful Friends Pet Crematory at Smith Funeral and Memorial Services, stands next to a display of pet urns and other specialized products.
At Boule Funeral Home, there is one simple philosophy: “It’s not what we want, it’s what they want.” That means whether it’s simple or extravagant, the home will work with each grieving family to help them through the process.
The business was founded by the Boule family in 1945. Located in an historic Fall River mansion, the business was bought by current owner Thomas Wilkinson in 2001. Wilkinson has been in the funeral business since 1979, having gotten his license in 2001.
“It’s not a job, it’s a calling,” Wilkinson said. “You have to be someone who will listen and give comfort and conversation.”
Wilkinson said the approach changes depending on who is grieving. For some, a lighter mood is welcomed as a means to aid the grieving process. For others, a more serious tone is needed. Wilkinson helps with other parts of the service as well, such as flowers, which he believes is also an important part of his job.
“It goes beyond just a funeral. It’s basically helping these people with this new chapter,” he said. “It’s the little things that mean a lot to people, and we all go out of our way to be accommodating to people.”
Boule gives grieving families comfort and customization Boule Funeral Home
An example would be a family who wanted to put a picture of the deceased on top of a casket. He said they all synchronized their dress for the funeral. He said that experience touched him, as it showed how much the deceased meant to them to see the family go through all of that effort.
Wilkinson is proud that the business has a great group of workers who help him keep it running. In order to help the grieving, the business aims to have a comfortable feel, and its employees work hard to maintain that feel.
As for what has changed over the years, Wilkinson said the ways people people approach death is different.
“Sometimes people will have celebrations of life, and they will try to make it a nice feeling for people rather than doom and gloom,” he said. “Years ago, you would have the deceased there, and everyone would be just looking at the
For director Thomas Wilkinson and Boule Funeral Home, the philosophy of working with clients is simple: “It’s not what we want, it’s what they want.”
casket. Now, we’ve moved chairs around where people can go to talk to each other and not feel like they have to stare at the casket.”
Amid all the changes in their business, Wilkinson and Boule Funeral Home plan to support the grieving for years to come. Their safe space will continue to adapt to the times and to the needs of their clients.
Bringing tomorrow’s treatments to communities today
BY VANESSA COMBS
K2 Medical Research, a rapidly growing clinical research organization founded in 2021, is making waves in Rhode Island. What began as a single research site inside a renovated bank in Central Florida has blossomed into a national effort to make clinical research accessible, compassionate, and relevant to local communities. Now with its first New England location in East Providence, the K2 team is asking Rhode Islanders and Southeastern Massachusetts residents to answer an important call to action: participate in clinical trials and help shape the future of medicine.
The East Providence site is led by Bill Menard, a Rhode Island native with a decade of experience in Alzheimer’s clinical trials. After years of working alongside renowned neurologist Dr. Stephen Salloway, Menard made it a mission to make research a real and accessible healthcare option for local residents. He partnered with Dr. Daniel Sacchetti, board-certified neurologist and Assistant Professor of Neurology at Brown University, and soon after, they joined forces with Dr. John Stoukides and the Rhode Island Mood and Memory Research Institute.
“We’re building something special here,” Menard said. “We want people to understand that research isn’t cold or impersonal — it can be a deeply human, empowering experience.”
The site has already launched studies in areas of major local need, including Alzheimer’s disease, alcohol use disorder, and major depressive disorder. These areas weren’t chosen randomly. In Rhode Island alone, about 1 in 5 individuals struggle with depression, 12% of residents suffer from alcohol use disorder, and more than 22,000 people over age 65 live with Alzheimer’s. K2 is aiming to support not only those directly affected by these illnesses but also the families and caregivers who bear much of the burden.
What sets K2 apart is its commitment to breaking down the stigma around clinical trials and offering a patient experience that feels personal. The research team — composed of board-certified professionals — follows a holistic model that sees patients as more than just data points.
The East Providence location provides free memory screenings, genetic testing, and brain health evaluations. These services allow participants to take vital health information back to their own providers and families.
K2’s outreach strategy is refreshingly tailored. “We customize our presentations for the audience,” said Tara Tang,
Associate Director of Outreach and Recruitment. “We consider everything — language, cultural context, literacy level — and we make learning fun with games like bingo, trivia, and soon, lotería. Health education should be interactive and conversational, not a lecture.”
Currently, K2 can offer presentations in both English and Spanish, and they’re actively building a bilingual team to better serve the Latino community. For those without transportation, they offer free rides through Uber Health. Flexible weekday scheduling and participant stipends further reduce barriers to participation.
At the heart of K2’s work is a belief that collaboration, not competition, will transform healthcare. Their partnership with Rhode Island Mood and Memory allows for a broader reach — if K2 doesn’t have the right study for someone, they can refer them to their partner, and vice versa. Together, they offer a wider array of treatment options and a shared philosophy: the patient always comes first.
Looking ahead, the team is eager to expand their presence throughout the
Northeast. A second location in Massachusetts is on the horizon for 2026, and an innovative Mobile Research Unit — a fully equipped RV that brings research directly to underserved communities — is also in the works.
K2 also hopes to forge strong partnerships with primary care providers, and build on existing relationships with hospitals, senior centers, faith-based organizations, and other community groups.
“We don’t just want to be in the community during the enrollment period of a trial,” said Tang. “We want to show up for celebrations, challenges, and everyday life. Trust is earned, and we’re here for the long haul.”
Clinical trials are often seen as a last resort, but K2 is working to shift that narrative. By integrating Clinical Research as a Care Option, they offer individuals the chance to receive cutting-edge therapies while contributing to scientific advancement. Participants not only receive toptier care, but they also play a critical role in shaping the next generation of treatments.
“The first person cured of Alzheimer’s will have participated in a clinical trial,” Menard emphasized. “And that person could very well be someone from right here in Rhode Island.” Dr. Sacchetti has been treating patients afflicted with neurological diseases in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts for over a decade and sees great hope in the future:
“Clinical research for neurodegenerative diseases is at the precipice of transformative breakthroughs, with potential cures closer than ever before. Clinical trials are the essential bridge between scientific discovery and real-world treatment, ensuring that all patients can access these life-changing advances.”
K2 Medical Research invites local individuals, organizations, and healthcare providers to collaborate, learn more, and get involved. To schedule a free presentation, enroll in a study, or simply learn more, visit www.k2medical.com/k2eastprovidence or follow them on Facebook (@k2med.pvd) and Instagram (@k2medprovidence).
The team at K2 Medical Research is experimenting, learning and working on solutions, and they welcome your help.
Find out if you qualify for one of our many clinical research studies today.
Want to Make a Difference?
K2 Medical Research is determined to make an impactful change in our community and world by working on Alzheimer's disease, Depression, NASH, and other diseases and conditions that plague ourselves and our loved ones.
Why Participate?
To learn more about your personal health.
To potentially have access to investigational medicines that may alleviate symptoms for you or your loved ones condition or disease.
To help future generations with newer treatment and device options.
No insurance or referral is ever required.
Schedule your A ppointment today!
Diabetes Vaccines And More! Enrolling
Genetic and Biomarker Testing
Memory Assessments
Alzheimer’s Disease
Anxiety
Depression
NASH/Fatty Liver Disease
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