New Health Agent Plays Crucial Role in Leicester
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But several process has left residents in seniors had already left and low spirits. are reluctant to return. Even as state officials con- Countless other seniors tinue to tout mass vaccina- have struggled to even sched- tion sites and newly opened ule their vaccinations. Several regional venues, seniors are residents have encountered painting a nightmarish pic- problems with the state’s ture of long drives, extended website, and seniors without wait times, scheduling prob- internet access have been left lems, and website glitches. mostly in the dark. The sched- And that’s just the begin- uling process has been espe- ning of the debacle, local lead- cially difficult for our oldest ers said. Although the state seniors, as well as those who was able to get its frontline are homebound and have no medical personnel and first way to travel to a vaccination responders vaccinated with site. Photo Courtesy few issues, the expansion to Additionally, local directors Francis Dagle is Leicester’s new Health Agent. the far larger 75-plus senior of senior centers and councils population has revealed mul- on aging were blindsided by tiple flaws in the rollout plan. their expectations from state “This has been a nightmare officials in the rollout process. for the most vulnerable of our “Anyone who imagined New Health Agent plays seniors,” said Spencer Senior that all seniors would have Center Director Pamela access or ability to navigate Woodbury, who has fielded the Mass.gov Web site were calls daily from frustrated sadly mistaken. I myself crucial role in Leicester seniors and their families. “I have experienced difficulty have a senior in town, 85 years with the scheduling website BY KEVIN FLANDERS vices through the end of the year, but the STAFF WRITER old, who waited four hours in at the Southbridge location,” extension expired on Jan. 31. the snow at the Eastfield Mall Woodbury said. “As CoA Leicester officials were disappointed by location to get his first shot – directors, we were given no LEICESTER – As the town continues to the decision from Worcester leaders, but and now he does not want to advance warning we would be transition into a new health system, recent- they also see many benefits that can come go back there for a second. I registering seniors. I was even ly hired Health Agent Francis Dagle is play- from the new system. After hiring Dagle inquired in Southbridge to see asked for evidence that I was ing a pivotal role. as the full-time health agent, Leicester also if he could get it there, and supposed to be doing this by a Leicester officials were forced to estab- added a part-time public health nurse. As they said, ‘No, he needs to go fellow employee.” lish a new model for health services after opposed to the Health Alliance services, back to where he got the first Area senior center staff the town was dropped from the Central which covered multiple towns, Dagle will be shot.’ They tell me it’s about members continue to help Massachusetts Regional Public Health focused entirely on Leicester’s needs. allotment.” navigate seniors through the Alliance. Run by Worcester’s Division “I am excited to be a part of the town During the Feb. 9 snow- confusing process. But local of Public Health, the Health Alliance is of Leicester, and I am looking forward to storm, the National Guard had leaders are concerned that the a regionalized coalition comprised of six leading the Leicester Public Health Office to be sent to the Eastfield Mall negative experiences endured other towns. toward achieving their goals to further pro- mass vaccination site due to by residents this month will Last year, Worcester officials announced tect the health of the Leicester community,” long lines, limited staffing, and cause many seniors – and that the city would not renew Leicester’s Dagle said. dangerous conditions. Dozens eventually other demograph- Health Alliance contract, which originally of 75-plus seniors attending ics – to avoid the vaccine pro- expired on June 30, 2020. An extension was Having earned a bachelor’s degree the Springfield site waited cess altogether.In Brookfield, granted to allow for a continuation of ser- Turn To DAGLE page A15 in line for hours during the a community devoid of a storm, with temperatures hov- Turn To ISSUES page A14 Spencer’s newest business owner pursues dream despite pandemic BY KEVIN FLANDERS Choice Physical Therapy offers a range eral times, but the answer was always STAFF WRITER of services to residents. These include the same: people will eventually need SPENCER – Dr. Grant Pattee had post-surgical services and chronic pain therapy again,” Pattee told the New plenty of reasons to scrap plans for therapies. Leader. “A pandemic can really change starting his business – the pandemic For Pattee, who has worked in phys- a person’s perspective. I had time to chief among them – but he hasn’t let ical therapy for nearly 20 years, the reflect and think about life goals, family any obstacle deny his dream. process of opening his own business goals, and eventually my career goals. I Even with businesses throughout the has seen its share of anxious moments region downsizing or closing altogeth- – but also excitement and hope for a Turn To PATTEE page A15 er, Pattee decided to take a risk and bright future. Photo Courtesy launch his physical therapy business in “Who opens a business during a pan- Dr. Grant Pattee recently opened a new December. Located at 133 West Main St., demic? I asked myself that question sev- physical therapy business in Spencer. Local teachers awarded scholarships and the Massachusetts al development conference. selected for these scholarships Association of School Organized by MassCUE, the based on their commitment Superintendents (MASS), the program offers more than 250 to using the most engaging scholarships will allow the workshops, presentations, and supportive practices to teachers to attend three days and activities involving edu- educate students, while also of professional development cational technology. Teachers maximizing the impact of edu- experiences. will also learn various prac- cational technologies, district Scholarships were award- tices they can utilize in their officials said. ed to MaryEllen Amodeo, a own classrooms. “These two teachers exem- Photos Courtesy third grade teacher at Wire “Lessons learned from this plify the many SEBRSD Village School in Spencer, as professional development will teachers who consistently go Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District teachers MaryEllen well as Pam Gunsalus, the be shared with all staff across above and beyond expecta- Amodeo and Pam Gunsalus recently received scholarships. STEM (Science, Technology, the district to keep all our tions to give their students Engineering and Math) classrooms on the forefront and the families they serve BY KEVIN FLANDERS ed scholarships for commit- STAFF WRITER teacher at Knox Trail Middle of effective educational prac- the best education found any- ment to educational excel- School. tices,” said SEBRSD Director where on the globe,” said SPENCER – A pair of lence. Both teachers will have of Academic Affairs Matthew SEBRSD Superintendent Paul Spencer-East Brookfield Presented by the the opportunity to take part Bolduc. Haughey. Regional School District Massachusetts Computer in the three-day profession- Gunsalus and Amodeo were teachers were recently award- Using Educators (MassCUE) Turn To TEACHERS page A3 2 SPENCER NEW LEADER • Friday, February 19, 2021 FEBRUARY IS YOUR NATIONAL CHILDREN’S DENTAL HEALTH MONTH TEETH Visit one of these Professionals to improve your family’s oral health. MATTER Good dental hygiene is very important to overall good health. When can children brush their own teeth? Parents quickly learn that their chil- wield a toothbrush without assistance. dren go through a transition marked Pediatricians and pediatric dentists by a desire to be more independent. recommend that children visit a dentist They’re picking out their own mis- as soon as a child’s first tooth starts matched clothes and no longer want any to appear. This also is when parents help when solving puzzles or complex should begin to clean their children’s toys. That newfound independence sig- teeth. As a child ages, the natural pro- nals getting older and can be a healthy clivity to want to take charge of brush- thing to nourish. But what happens ing teeth takes hold. The child may not when a youngster suddenly believes he yet have the manual dexterity to brush or she is capable of brushing his or her alone, but parents can encourage the teeth without assistance? child to brush and then go over the Parents wrestling with their kids’ teeth as a “double check.” This helps can-do attitude and if it’s wise to allow foster independence while also ensur- them to brush their teeth unassisted ing teeth are fully cleaned.