October 2023 – Nantucket Cottage Hospital is offering limited phone consultations for Open Enrollment Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D) assistance. Please call 508-825-8196, Monday – Friday, to schedule an appointment between October 17th and December 7th.

Additional assistance is available from the SHINE Program, a State Health Insurance Program that provides free, one-on-one health insurance information, counseling and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries of all ages. Phone appointments for Nantucket residents are available through SHINE by calling 508-375-6762. You can also email SHINE@capecod.gov.

The SHINE Program can assist with questions about the following:

• Medicare
• Medicare Advantage Plans (Medicare HMOs, PPOs)
• Insurance Claim Forms
• Medicare Supplements (“Medigap”)
• Medicaid/MassHealth
• Prescription Advantage
• Medicare Prescription Drug Plans
• One Care Plans
• Health Insurance Options
• Prescription Drug Options
• Long-Term Care Insurance

Some of the services that SHINE counselors provide include:

• Reviewing your current coverage
• Reviewing your eligibility for financial assistance
• Providing health insurance plan comparisons
• Helping prepare health benefit claim forms and applications

Counselors are volunteers trained and certified through the SHINE Program.

(September 2023) Nantucket Cottage Hospital is hosting flu vaccine clinics this fall. Appointments are required and are available to book on the Patient Gateway or by calling 508-825-1000. Flu shots will be administered in the Anderson Building on the hospital campus at 57 Prospect Street.

• Monday, September 18, 2023
• Wednesday, September 20, 2023
• Saturday, September 23, 2023
• Tuesday, September 26, 2023
• Thursday, September 28, 2023
• Saturday, September 30, 2023 during Island Health Fair at 57 Prospect Street, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. (no appointments required during Health Fair)
• Tuesday, October 10, 2023
• Thursday, October 12, 2023
• Tuesday, October 24, 2023
• Tuesday, November 7, 2023
• Thursday, November 9, 2023
• Wednesday, November 15, 2023
• Thursday, November 16, 2023
• Friday, November 24, 2023 (for all ages – clinic located in Physician Practices in main hospital, not Anderson Building)
• Thursday, December 28, 2023 (for all ages – clinic located in Physician Practices in main hospital, not Anderson Building)

Additional clinic dates will be added to meet demand. Both COVID and flu vaccines are also available to patients during a regular primary care visit.

For COVID vaccine clinic dates, click here.

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year, and the Centers for Disease Control recommends annual influenza vaccination for everyone 6 months and older.

August 25, 2023 – This morning, at Nantucket Cottage Hospital’s 112th Annual Meeting, outstanding individuals and community organizations were recognized for their contributions to Nantucket Cottage Hospital. These annual leadership awards include Marissa Teramae, NCH Ultrasound Technician, as this year’s recipient of the Seinfeld/Hartmann Prize for Compassionate Medical Care. The patient who nominated Marissa praised her respect, integrity, empathy, and communications. In one quote from Marissa’s nomination, the patient stated, “she showed empathy through her actions and words throughout our time working together. She understood what I was going through, and she made every effort to make it easier for me. She was my absolute rock during that time and made me feel so safe and supported through an extremely anxious time. She made me feel like she actually cared about me and the outcome of my pregnancy, and that felt really good.”

Congratulations to Marissa Teramae on this well-deserved honor!

From left: Judy Seinfeld, Marissa Teramae, Jason Graziadei

The Sandy Craig Leadership Award was presented to Margaretta Andrews, in recognition of her service to NCH – where she served as both an employee and a member of the Board of Trustees – as well as her work leading the Community Foundation For Nantucket.

The Sandy Craig Leadership Award is given each year in memory of Alexander “Sandy” M. Craig, Jr. to a member of the community who has made a positive contribution to the island through Nantucket Cottage Hospital.

Amy Lee and Margaretta Andrews

The Phil Murray Business Award was presented to Fairwinds Counseling Center. The Phil Murray Business Award is given in memory of Philip Chase Murray to a business that has made a positive impact on the island over the past year. Nantucket Cottage Hospital president Amy Lee noted Fairwinds’ response to the island’s mental health challenges and recent suicides, as well as its partnership with NCH on crisis response.

From left: Amanda Wright, Amy Lee, Jason Bridges, Morgan Baker

The Bruce A. Percelay Philanthropy Award was presented to Bill Kupper, chair of NCH’s Sankaty Swing golf tournament and a former member of the hospital’s development and marketing committees. Bill helped spearhead a revitalization of the hospital’s golf tournament event.

Amy Lee and Bill Kupper

The Myrt Eldridge Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to three long-time volunteers: Toby Greenberg, Ann Oliver, and Randy Wight.

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.