Hospital & Community Spotlight

August 24, 2023 – Nantucket’s history is filled with stories of heroic lifesaving efforts made by everyday citizens and those who went above and beyond the call of duty. Honoring that tradition, Egan Maritime Institute and Nantucket Cottage Hospital recognize the following modern-day lifesavers at our annual Lifesavers Recognition Day.

The following will be awarded the Maurice E. Gibbs Commendation Award.

• Dr. Faith Frable
• David Tearse, Nantucket Lifeguard
• Austin Pronovost, Nantucket Lifeguard
• Anthony Bellabona, Nantucket Lifeguard
• Capt. Frank Hanlon
• FF David Angelastro
• FF Corey Ray
• FF Raymond McClure
• Wynter Larrabee
• Era Kever

Dr. Faith Frable will receive the Maurice E. Gibbs Commendation Award. Earlier this summer, Frable was driving home on Polpis Road with one of her children in the car when she encountered a man who fell off his bicycle, likely due to a medical event. She quickly started CPR and called 911. All involved agreed that this incident could have had a different outcome if it weren’t for Dr. Frable’s rapid response and heroic measures.

Nantucket Lifeguards: David Tearse, Austin Pronovost, and Anthony Bellabona, as well as Capt. Frank Hanlon, FF David Angelastro, FF Corey Ray, and FF Raymond McClure will all receive the Maurice E. Gibbs Commendation Award for rescuing a 1-year-old girl at Surfside Beach. A 1-year-old girl underwent anaphylactic shock due to an unknown cashew allergy on Thursday, August 3rd, while at Surfside Beach with her family. Once her mother noticed her face and lips were swollen, she went to the lifeguards for help. They immediately started to calmly walk her up to the parking lot and called an ambulance. “Because of the lifeguards’ quick action, as well as the help of the EMTs, our daughter was able to get the treatment she needed for this unfortunate reaction that could have been fatal. We are incredibly grateful to the lifeguards and EMTS for helping save our daughter; we are also so thankful for their calm presence and ability to help manage all our fears, including helping calm and reassure our two older children who were with us,” shares Erin Washburn.

The final Maurice E. Gibbs Commendation awards will be presented to Wynter Larrabee and Era Kever for their lifesaving actions on Monday, September 5th. Wynter, a fourteen-year-old surfer, was at Cisco Beach with his family when he noticed a man struggling in the water. He bravely entered the surf, and with the help of his father, Rich brought the unresponsive man to shore. Era Kever was also at Cisco, she rushed to the group and immediately started administering CPR and chest compressions. According to Harbor Master Shelia Lucey, “This was the largest and most on-water significant rescue of the season.”

Finally, we will formally recognize USCG Station Brant Point, Nantucket Harbormaster’s Office & Lifeguards, and the Nantucket Police Department for their valiant efforts and heroic teamwork while searching for a missing fisherman who went overboard south of Nantucket on Saturday, August 13th. Nantucket’s first responders worked well into the night and throughout the day on Sunday, August 14th, to locate a lost fisherman. While the active search was suspended after 24 hours, Nantucket’s crews went above and beyond the call of duty during Nantucket’s busiest weekend.

Learn more about Nantucket’s annual Lifesavers Recognition Day here.

July 24, 2023 – Hundreds of swimmers, volunteers, friends, and family took over Jetties Beach on Saturday, July 22 for the most successful Swim Across America – Nantucket in the event’s 11-year history. Over $675,000 was raised to support cancer treatment, patient care, and research. The previous record was $525,000.

Congratulations to Team NHC/PASCON who raised $28,450 and counting! Team leader, Gretchen Hull, remarked “Thank you to everyone for joining the team, donating, fundraising and/or volunteering to make the Swim such a successful event! I am so proud of our team and am truly grateful for all your hard work and dedication.”

The funds raised will be donated to the Nantucket Cottage Hospital, Palliative & Supportive Care of Nantucket, and the Mass General Hospital Cancer Center. Click here to learn more about Swim Across America – Nantucket.

July 23, 2023 – On Sunday evening, July 23, at the Dreamland Foundation’s DreamBIG gala, Dr. Tim Lepore received the inaugural Fred Rogers Good Neighbor award.

The award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and selflessness in making Nantucket a better place through their unwavering commitment to the community. The Dreamland’s board of directors and community leaders chose Dr. Lepore because he “exemplifies the compassion and service fostered by Fred Rogers throughout his life. With his unparalleled contributions and tireless efforts, Lepore has left an indelible impact on the lives of countless people on Nantucket.”

July 17, 2023 – Nantucket Cottage Hospital’s sixth annual Women+Wellness event on Monday, July 17th featured renowned cardiac expert Colleen M. Harrington, MD, as our featured speaker. Dr. Harrington discussed various topics related to cardiac health for people of all ages, including preventative measures and the gender-specific risk factors for heart diseases. Primary Care Practitioners from Nantucket Cottage Hospital joined the conversation to share valuable information about on-island resources for cardiac screening, services, and care. Click below to watch the full event.

Thank You to Our 2023 Sponsors:

• Heart Sponsors: Jeanine Borthwick | Michael and Meryl Bralower | Maureen Hackett | Lisa Clarey-Lawler
• Soul Sponsors: Carole Beller | Amanda Dearborn | The Inquirer and Mirror
• Care Sponsors: Camille Branca | Cathy Bortz | Anita Cosgrove | Dawn Didden | Caron Dockerty | Meg Dwyer | Robin Hammer | Joan Hill | Minou Palandjian | Maria Roach | Hinda Snyder | John and Marianne Stanton | Alison Townsend | Leslie Wytrzes
• Mindful Sponsors: Kim Hartman | Ginny Ripp | Nancy Vittorini | Kim Younes
• Peace Sponsors: Jane Condon | Jennifer Pincince | Lisa Soeder

June 7, 2023 – Nantucket Cottage Hospital is pleased to award 38 Beinecke Scholarships totaling $50,000 to island students and residents pursuing education and training in medical and healthcare fields.

Open to graduates of Nantucket High School, residents of the island, and employees of Nantucket Cottage Hospital, this scholarship fund was created by the late Nantucket businessman and civic leader Walter Beinecke, Jr. in the 1950s. Over the years, Nantucket Cottage Hospital has used the scholarship fund to assist hundreds of island students and residents further their education.

The eligibility of applicants and scholarship recipients are considered by an independent ad hoc committee consisting of leaders from Nantucket Cottage Hospital and the community at large.

Beinecke, the man who founded Sherburne Associates, and is credited with transforming Nantucket into a modern destination resort town, was a life member of Nantucket Cottage Hospital’s Board of Trustees. The Beinecke Scholarship Fund’s origins date back to the early 1950s when his father, Walter Beinecke, Sr., made annual gifts through the hospital to Nantucket High School graduates to help them pay for nursing school. After his father’s death in 1958, Walter Beinecke, Jr. formally established the scholarship fund in his memory.

The 2023 Beinecke Scholarship recipients are:

• Christian Ashelford
• Melanie Bamber
• Ciara Barnett
• Tianna Barrett
• K’sha Bloise
• Juilana Bouchard
• Brooke Campbell
• Cole Campbell
• Isabella Cutone
• Kate Daniels
• Emma Davis
• Sabin Dhamala
• Emily Dussault
• Edwin Alexis Mancia Castro
• Leticia Duval Camilo
• Candace Ferguson
• Heather Francis
• Pamela Gardner
• Sophie Gerardi
• Madison Iller
• Ioana Kalpazanova
• Diane Sophia King
• Caroline Knutti
• Tatiana Quijada Lemus
• Adriana Lopez
• Robin Manning
• Maria Silva Marchi
• Sara Marshall
• Sue Mynttinen
• Adisson Masiel Pineda Perez
• Andrea Planzer
• Stephanie Ryder
• Kyan Samuels-Roberts
• Teresa Erin Schrader
• Nathalia Elizabeth Tobar Tejada
• Ruth Tonico
• Chevelle Williams
• Adele Yelverton