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Greater Brockton CHNA Awards Grant to Old Colony Elder Services

Greater Brockton Community Health Network Area (CHNA) has recently awarded a $3,000 grant to Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) the Brockton based regional elder services agency.

The grant will be used to help fund the My Life, My Health Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) for the 10 communities served by CHNA.

The My Life, My Health CDSMP is a community workshop designed to give seniors and others with chronic conditions (such as arthritis, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, asthma, etc.) and/or their caregivers the knowledge and skills needed to take a more active role in their health care. It is facilitated by OCES staff members who are certified leaders of the program.

Three programs in English and three programs in Spanish will be offered to seniors residing in Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, East Bridgewater, Easton, Holbrook, Stoughton, West Bridgewater and Whitman. There are five English speaking trained program leaders and two Spanish speaking trained leaders. (Additional Spanish speaking volunteers who would like to become trained leaders are needed.)

According to Dorothy Slack, who is a certified leader of CDSMP, “We would like to thank Greater Brockton CHNA for their generous grant which will enable us to run this essential program. We’re really excited to offer the program in both English and Spanish. The grant will help pay for program supplies, books and lunch for attendees.”

Each program runs for six consecutive weeks. The first Spanish speaking session will be held at the Neighborhood Health Center in Brockton on September 14th. The first English speaking session will be held at the Abington Council on Aging in Abington on Tuesday, September 20th.

“It is through the generous support of organizations and individuals that we can continue to provide programs that better enable elders to remain independent and living in their own homes throughout the 23 communities we serve,” said Diana DiGiorgi, OCES’ Executive Director.

About Greater Brockton CHNA
Greater Brockton Community Health Network Area (CHNA) was established in 1992 by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. It is a local coalition of public, non-profit, and private sectors working together to build healthier communities in Massachusetts through community-based prevention planning and health promotion. It is in the mission of the Greater Brockton CHNA to use funding to support local programs and initiatives that meet the CHNA’s guiding principles. The Greater Brockton CHNA serves the communities of Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, East Bridgewater, Easton, Holbrook, Stoughton, West Bridgewater and Whitman. For more information, visit the website at www.preventionworks.org.

About OCES
Incorporated in 1974, Old Colony Elder Services is a private, non-profit corporation designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES offers a number of programs to serve seniors, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers such as Family Caregiver Support; Adult Family Care; Supportive Housing; Nutrition; Money Management; Protective Services and Home Care.

OCES serves elders, their families and caregivers in 23 towns in Southeastern Massachusetts:
Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Kingston, Lakeville, Marshfield, Middleboro, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rockland, Stoughton, Wareham, West Bridgewater and Whitman.

The organization’s mission is to provide services that support the dignity and independence of elders by helping them maximize their quality of life; live safely and in good health; and, prevent unnecessary or premature institutionalization.

In 2009, OCES was honored with the Metro-South Chamber of Commerce’s “Economic Impact Award”. The agency has 157 employees. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org

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Love the commute! Why home-based businesses are the hottest trend—and fastest moving opportunities– in franchising.

 HIALEAH, FLORIDA… 

The appeal of working from home isn’t difficult to see. Great commute. Setting your own hours and adjusting those hours to your lifestyle. Lower overhead costs and, in many cases, no need to purchase or lease space. Yet the trend towards more franchisors offering home-based franchises and more opportunity seekers opting for a franchise rather than simply starting their own home-based business is less about dollars up front and more about long-term success.

According to HomeBasedBusinessDevelopmentCenter.com, statistics show that 95 percent of home-based franchises succeed. By the same token, 97 percent of home-based, small businesses fail.

Hunter Stokes, President of Franchise Solutions, a seasoned franchise marketing company noted, “Especially in the last decade, there has been a real trend among franchisors to offer home-based businesses as a growing number of prospective franchisees look to career pursuits that keep them close to home. If the American Dream can be sought from a home office, why stand behind a counter or commute to an office?”

Natural Fruit Corporation Senior Vice President Susan Morris adds, “The home-based franchise doesn’t have the huge start-up costs associated with franchises that require a physical location, plus you get the benefits of working from a home office. At the same time, you’re not completely on your own like many independent small business owners are. Being a franchise owner should mean that you have a proven, marketable product or service to sell and support from your franchisor in running and marketing your business.”

Natural Fruit Corporation makes Chunks O’ Fruti® 100% natural frozen fruit bars. The company recently repackaged its franchise opportunity—including a distributorship to sell Mars ice cream products as well—to be even more attractive to people seeking a home-based franchise opportunity.

Each franchisee purchases an exclusive territory with a capacity for 1,000 freezers. Franchisees are then responsible for negotiating with merchants at high-traffic retail locations (e.g. convenience stores, health clubs, independent supermarkets) to place a Chunks O Fruti® freezer at the location, stocking those locations and acquiring new locations.

While the opportunity does require an initial investment for the freezers and product, storage space for product and the refrigerated truck for delivery can be leased. The typical Fruti franchisee can start their business for around $100,000 and run the business entirely from a home office.

“We’ve been researching franchise opportunities for a few years now with the goal of living on our ranch outside of Albuquerque in Tijeras and starting a family. The Chunks O’ Fruti® franchise provides an opportunity we can run out of our home,” said Jamie Linn, who along with her husband Roger, runs a Chunks O’ Fruti® franchise in New Mexico. “Probably more importantly, it involves selling an all natural, healthy product that’s good for you and that we believe in.”

Chunks O’Fruti® frozen fruit bars are 100% natural and contain real fruit with no artificial coloring or flavoring–the fruit is spread evenly throughout each bar by a proprietary manufacturing process. It’s also low calorie and there are more than 20 natural flavors to choose from.

Fruti franchises are available across the U.S. For complete information on Fruti ‘s franchise offering, please visit www.frutifranchise.com or contact Bruce Wildes, Acadia Business Advisors, LLC at 207 370 8210 or info@acadiabiz.com.

About Natural Fruit Corporation
Brothers Simon and Jorge Bravo Sr. founded Natural Fruit Corporation in 1985. Equipped with their vast backgrounds in food processing and production, the brothers set out to produce the highest quality, 100 percent natural, frozen fruit bars. Nearly three decades later, the company is still going strong, manufacturing more than 20 flavors of the Chunks O’ Fruti brand products—100 percent natural with no added colors or flavoring. All flavors and color come directly from the fruit! Chunks O’ Fruti brand products are Kosher-certified and gluten-free.

In 2009, Natural Fruit Corporation entered into an agreement for its distributors to offer the full line of Mars Ice Cream products, including Twix, Snickers, Dove bars and M&M brands. Natural Fruit Corporation began offering a revised franchise opportunity in 2010.

Fruti franchises are available across the U.S… For complete information on Fruti’s franchise offering, please contact Bruce Wildes, Acadia Business Advisors, LLC at 207 370 8210 or info@acadiabiz.com or visit www.frutifranchise.com.

For information on Fruti products, please visit www.nfc-fruti.com.

Love the commute! Why home-based businesses are the hottest trend—and fastest moving opportunities– in franchising.Read More

A 100% natural choice for a business advisor. National Fruit Corporation retains Acadia Business Advisors to sell Chunks O’ Fruti® franchises.

 HIALEAH, FLORIDA…

When Natural Fruit Corporation (NFC), makers of Chunks O’ Fruti® 100% natural frozen fruit bars, revamped its franchise opportunity, it had one goal in mind: find franchise owners who had the desire and talent to be successful. NFC passed on high-priced consultants and business brokers content to simply to move units and collecting franchise fees. Instead, NFC chose Acadia Business Advisors, LLC, a firm known for its ability to understand a business first and then tailor the franchise offering to attract desirable candidates.

“There’s nothing like Chunks O’ Fruit® frozen fruit bars. They are 100% natural, fruit is always the first ingredient, there is no artificial coloring or flavoring, and the fruit is spread evenly throughout each bar by a proprietary manufacturing process. It’s also low calorie and there are more than 20 natural flavors to choose from.,” said Susan Morris, senior vice president for Natural Fruit Corporation. “We wanted to work with an advisor who approaches our business with the attitude of a partner committed to our long-term success, before and after the franchise fee has been collected. Bruce Wildes and the team at Acadia understood the uniqueness of this product, how our franchisees had to not only have the capital but the drive to be successful.”

The franchise opportunity calls for owners to sell 100% natural Chunks O’Fruti® frozen fruit bar products wholesale to retail outlets like their local convenience stores, hospital cafeterias, schools, independent grocery stores, deli’s, family style restaurants, swim clubs and many other high-traffic locations. Through a special partnership arranged by Natural Fruit Corporation, franchise owners can also sell the enormously popular Mars ice cream products—like Twix, Snickers, M&Ms and Dove bars—on a wholesale basis to those same retail locations as a Mars distributor. 

Each franchisee is given an exclusive territory within a two-hour driving radius. Franchisees are then responsible for negotiating with merchants to place a Chunks O Fruti® freezer at the location, keeping those locations stocked and acquiring new locations. Each territory has the capacity for 1,000 freezers.

Start up costs, including the franchise fee, can range from $75,000 to $101,000 depending on how they choose to finance the business.

“The Fruti franchise opportunity is extremely attractive for a number of reasons. It doesn’t require a huge capital investment up front. You can run the business out of your home and tailor it to your lifestyle. Those attractive qualities also make it a challenge to find potential buyers who have the right tools and capital to succeed at the business,” said Wildes, the owner of Acadia Business Advisors, LLC. “Because we have experience in representing both franchisors and franchise candidates, we have a pretty good idea in what’s necessary from both a financial standpoint and personality standpoint to be a successful Fruti franchise owner.”

Adds Morris, “Bruce Wildes and the Acadia team have helped us to fine tune our offering, our approach to our offering and our execution of successful Discovery Days. The day-to-day dealings are professional, effective and stream lined.  Their use of automation as well as technology provides us with an avenue to deal with a high volume of franchisees economically in time and effort.”

With headquarters in Maine and offices across the United States, Acadia Business Advisors is a full-service franchise consultant and business advisory firm, serving clients throughout North America and international markets. Yet almost in spite of its broad reach, Acadia maintains a low profile and a reputation for honest answers and deliverable results.

Fruti franchises are available across the U.S. For complete information on Fruti’s franchise offering, please visit www.frutifranchise.com or contact Bruce Wildes, Acadia Business Advisors, LLC at 207 370 8210 or info@acadiabiz.com.

About Natural Fruit Corporation
Brothers Simon and Jorge Bravo Sr. founded Natural Fruit Corporation in 1985. Equipped with their vast backgrounds in food processing and production, the brothers set out to produce the highest quality, 100 percent natural, frozen fruit bars. Nearly three decades later, the company is still going strong, manufacturing more than 20 flavors of the Chunks O’ Fruti brand products—100 percent natural with no added colors or flavoring. All flavors and color come directly from the fruit! Chunks O’ Fruti brand products are Kosher-certified and gluten-free.

In 2009, Natural Fruit Corporation entered into an agreement for its distributors to offer the full line of Mars Ice Cream products, including Twix, Snickers, Dove bars and M&M brands. Natural Fruit Corporation began offering a revised franchise opportunity in 2010.

Fruti franchises are available across the U.S… For complete information on Fruti’s franchise offering, please contact Bruce Wildes, Acadia Business Advisors, LLC at 207 370 8210 or info@acadiabiz.com or visit www.frutifranchise.com.

For information on Fruti products, please visit www.nfc-fruti.com.

About Acadia Business Advisors, LLC

Acadia Business Advisors, a full service franchise consultant and business advisory firm with headquarters in Maine and offices across the United States, serves clients throughout North America and international markets. Acadia specializes in the franchise industry and also works with related non-franchise companies for similar issues. For more information, please visit www.acadiabiz.com or call toll-free 877-456-4197.

A 100% natural choice for a business advisor. National Fruit Corporation retains Acadia Business Advisors to sell Chunks O’ Fruti® franchises.Read More

HR Knowledge Inc. Recognized by Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare

HR Knowledge, Inc., a leading Business Process Outsourcer (BPO) serving emerging to mid-sized companies throughout the Northeast with offices in Mansfield and Waltham, was recently recognized as a Gold Level Broker by Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare for the combination of new clients and high retention.

This honor is bestowed upon the top two percent of benefit brokers in the New England market. Dan Hughes, President of Operations and HR Services at HR Knowledge was on site to accept the prestigious award. This is the fifth consecutive year that HR Knowledge has been recognized by Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare. 2010 was the first year HR Knowledge reached the Gold level.

HR Knowledge, Inc. provides a unique blend of services to businesses by providing outsourced, integrated HR, Payroll and Benefits services to their clients. This allows for great economies of scale in handling these time consuming and tedious tasks.

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care is the highest-ranked health insurance plan for overall member satisfaction in the New England region for the third year in a row according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 Member Health Insurance Plan Study. Harvard Pilgrim has also been named the number one private health plan in America for the seventh consecutive year, according to an annual ranking of the nation’s best health plans by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).

About HR Knowledge, Inc.
HR Knowledge, Inc. is a leading Business Process Outsourcer (BPO) serving emerging to mid-sized companies throughout the Northeast. HR Knowledge has the experience and technology to efficiently provide best-in-class integrated HR services at an affordable cost to clients.

HR Knowledge’s leaders have more than 100 years of combined experience and provide expert guidance in Human Resource management, Group Benefits Brokerage, Payroll Processing & Managed Services, Financial Services and Recruiting and Hiring Process Management (HPM).
Through their comprehensive Human Resource Services, HR Knowledge helps organizations minimize operational risks, reduce administrative costs and better serve their people.

HR Knowledge is headquartered at 905B South Main Street, Suite 203 in Mansfield and their second office is located at 890 Winter Street, Suite 208 in Waltham, MA. For more information, contact (508) 339-1300 or visit their website at www.hrknowledge.com

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First “real” job could be real “local”. South Shore business reaches out to South Shore colleges to recruit recent grads

HANOVER, MASSACHUSETTS… 

When it comes to new college graduates, there’s certainly no shortage in the greater Boston area. For recent graduates of South Shore colleges like Curry College, Eastern Nazarene College, Quincy College, Bridgewater State, and Stonehill College that means competing for your first “real” job with graduates from Boston’s colleges and universities. One South Shore business, G-Force Shipping, a third-party logistics provider based in the South Shore town of Hanover, is looking to level the playing field and give graduates of South Shore colleges first crack at their first job.

G-Force is partnering with South Shore colleges to recruit entrepreneurial-minded college graduates for a number of sales and customer service representative positions. G-Force’s efforts have included on-campus recruitment and on-campus interviews and recruitment advertising in college publications. The firm just recently hired a new customer service representative as a result of this effort, Charlie Edlund, a 2011 Curry College graduate.

“With jobless rates still hovering around nine percent, new grads face an uphill battle to get that critical first job and gain precious job experience,” said Gordie Macfarlane, president of G-Force Shipping. “Obviously, we want to hire qualified, talented applicants like Charlie. As a business based on the South Shore, we made a conscious decision to start our search for that talent at South Shore schools of which many of the students are also from the area.”

In addition to Edlund, G-Force is looking to fill three additional customer service representative positions.

“Graduating in this economy, I didn’t quite know what to expect when I hit the job market,” said Edlund, a Hanover resident. “I’m grateful that G-Force took the initiative to recruit at my school. I know many of my friends are still looking for their first job. I’m happy to not only have a job, but one I really like so far and close to home.”

Colleges interested in partnering with G-Force for job placement for students can contact Gordie Macfarlane at 877-743-6623.

As a third-party logistics provider, G-Force Shipping provides manufacturers, dealers and distributors with an easy-to-use, Web-based shipping utility, www.GForceship.com, which delivers instant quotes and multiple carrier choices in seconds. There’s no long-term commitment. Access to a free online account or a toll-free number is all G-Force customers need. The only fees associated with an account are those directly connected to the shipping costs.

For more information, please call 877-7-GFORCE or visit www.gforceship.com.

More carriers, more choices, more savings.

G Force Shipping and Consulting, Inc. is a non asset based third-party logistics provider based in Hanover, Massachusetts. Through its Web site, www.gforceship.com, G-Force provides its customers with direct access to quotes from more than 80 carriers on LTL, FTL and small parcel shipments. In addition to helping customers find the right shipping company at the right price, G-Force offers white glove service that includes 24/7 customer service, freight consulting services, online warehouse management capabilities and much, much more.

For more information, visit www.gforceship.com or call 877-7-GFORCE (877-743-6723).

First “real” job could be real “local”. South Shore business reaches out to South Shore colleges to recruit recent gradsRead More

Boston Podiatrist Offers Tips for Avoiding Summertime Foot Problems

Jordana Szpiro, D.P.M., F.A.C.F.A.S.
Foot problems, pain and strain tend to increase during the summer months. Established Boston podiatrist and board certified foot surgeon Jordana Szpiro, D.P.M., F.A.C.F.A.S. of Boston Common Podiatry, offers tips on how to avoid summertime foot problems that may lead to chronic foot problems.

According to Dr. Szpiro, ”Summer footwear can cause foot problems or exacerbate existing foot problems because people tend to be more active in less supportive shoes, or they want to be barefoot. The cardinal rule for the majority of musculoskeletal foot problems is never to go barefoot. It can also be challenging for those prone to infectious skin diseases such as plantar warts and athlete’s foot which are easily spread poolside, in pedicure salons and in gyms.“

She continued, ”Temporary foot problems are typically dermatological issues, such as ingrown, fungal or bruised toenails; corns calluses or blisters. Chronic foot problems include structural issues such as neuromas, bunions, hammertoes and Haglund’s deformity (pump bump), sesamoid problems.“

Common footwear that causes problems include flip-flops, ballet flats and unsupportive sandals which have no arch support and give no structural support to the foot, which can lead to stress fractures and extensor tendinitis. Stiletto heels can cause “pump bumps”which are the painful bony bumps on the back of the heels, neuromas, bunions, hammertoes, sesamoid problems, corns, calluses and metatarsalgia or an inversion ankle sprain. Even platform sandals’ instability can lead to ankle sprains and worn-out shoes with little support cause arch pain, tendonitis, and metatarsalgia.

“Overall, the best shoe choices for the summer are well fitting, supportive sandals such as Naot or Mephisto brands. If you’re choosing more stylish shoes or work shoes, be wise in your activity levels when wearing these shoes. Wear a comfortable supportive pair on your commute and keep the stilettos at the office. Flip flops and flats are great for the beach or sitting somewhere but not conducive to walking around the city for hours. And remember, shoes that have a leather rather than rubber sole breath better, and men in particular need to pay attention to this,” explained Dr. Szpiro.

For people with plantar fasciitis, bunions, diabetes or any other common foot condition, Dr. Szpiro offers the following advice:

Diabetics are unfortunately advised to always be in closed toe shoes with socks, so make them lightweight and breathable

“Fit-flops” and Orthoheel type shoes are great for people with plantar fasciitis, or any sandal with a supportive foot bed. You could check with your local podiatrist for the Aetrex Shoe system that has sandals in which you can put a custom foot bed.

Those with bunions, hammertoes or any bony prominence should find shoes that do not touch the problem area, for example, avoid a sandal where the strap falls across the bunion.

Women with unsightly corns should try to be in open toed shoes for as much of the summer as possible, since corns are purely a result of rubbing from the shoes. Corns will improve during periods when they are not enclosed in shoes.

The most common issue related to going barefoot in the summer is not Athlete’s foot, which is just as common in the winter, but infectious disease susceptibility. If you know you are prone to warts or fungus, it is wise to have pool shoes that you wear to the side of the pool or Jacuzzi. And, beware of pedicures as they can be perilous. A medical pedicure performed in a sterile environment with a technician wearing gloves is the only way to avoid MRSA (methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus), viral warts and fungal infections.

About Boston Common Podiatry

Boston Common Podiatry specializes in the treatment of foot conditions including pain, fractures and sports-related injuries; complicated foot conditions caused by diabetes, arthritis and cardiovascular disease; pediatric podiatry and molded orthotics. From athletes and dancers to marathon runners and high-heeled fashionistas to seniors and children, the renowned Boston Common Podiatry cares for patients from the greater Boston and Cape Cod areas.

Boston Common Podiatry physicians are on staff at several area hospitals including Mt. Auburn, a Harvard teaching hospital, and hospitals affiliated with the Cambridge Health Alliance. The practice is led by established Boston podiatrist, Jordana Szpiro, D.P.M., F.A.C.F.A.S. Boston Common Podiatry is located at 264 Beacon Street, Second Floor, Boston, MA. For more information contact 617.262.2266 or visit bostoncommonpodiatry.com.

Boston Podiatrist Offers Tips for Avoiding Summertime Foot ProblemsRead More

Haley’s Tire’s awards Biddeford resident Nicole Cartier its annual scholarship.

BIDDEFORD, BANGOR, AUGUSTA AND FALMOUTH, MAINE…

Earlier this month, Haley’s Tire selected Biddeford resident and current Babson College student Nicole Cartier as the recipient of its annual scholarship.  

As part of the scholarship, Cartier will receive $1,000 from Haley’s Tire to go towards her studies. In addition, she will also receive $1,000 from the New England Tire and Service Association (NETSA), of which Haley’s Tire is a member, as part of the Association’s matching program.

“We set up our scholarship specifically to help Maine residents further their education,” said Tim Haley, owner of Haley’s Tire and Service Center. “It’s doubly satisfying that this year’s scholarship goes to a deserving student like Nicole who is from one of the towns where we have a store and that NETSA chose to match the award. Nicole has a very bright future ahead of her and we hope this helps her get there.”

Cartier is a 2010 graduate of Biddeford High School. She’s enrolled in Babson College’s accounting program and is slated to graduate in 2014. While in school, Cartier works for Babson’s Undergraduate Center for Career Development. She is also employed by the Southern Maine Medical Center.

In addition to its scholarship, Haley’s Tire takes part in a number of charitable endeavors in the four communities it serves: Biddeford, Falmouth, Augusta and Bangor. That includes:

  • LearningWorks
  • Maine Audubon Society
  • Maine Public Broadcasting Network
  • Habitat for Humanity
  • Cancer Community Center
  • Boys & Girls Club
  • Friends of Casco Bay-Casco Baykeepers
  • Young Life Casco Bay
  • National MS Society- New England Chapter
  • YMCA  of Casco Bay
  • Falmouth Lion’s Club
  • Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital

In addition, Tim Haley is also a member of the local Salvation Army’s Board of Directors and a leading fundraiser/participant for the Pan Mass Challenge bike ride. 

“We sell nationally known brands like Goodyear, Dunlop and Kelly Tires, but when you get right down to it, we are a Maine company owned and operated by a Maine family,” said Haley. “Helping out our own is a Maine tradition and we get quite a bit of satisfaction in the causes we help in the communities we serve.”

Frederick Haley, Jr. and Frederick Haley founded Haley’s Tire in 1970 with its Biddeford store located at 124 Elm Street. An authorized Goodyear, Dunlop and Kelly Tires dealer, Haley Tire’s also offers repair services, including oil changes, alignments, brakes service (including free brake inspections), transmission maintenance, computerized engine analysis and much more at all four locations.

For more information about Haley’s Tire, including store locations and directions, please visit www.haleystire.com .

About Haley’s Tire

Founded in 1970 by Frederick Haley and Frederick J. Haley, Jr., Haley Tire is a third-generation tire retailer and service center with locations in Augusta, Bangor, Biddeford and Falmouth. Haley Tire is an authorized Goodyear, Dunlop and Kelly Tires dealer. Haley Tire’s repair offerings include oil changes, alignments, brakes service (including free brake inspections), transmission maintenance, computerized engine analysis and much more.

For more information on Haley’s Tire, including store hours, locations and directions, please visit www.haleystire.com or call 207-781-3136.

Haley’s Tire’s awards Biddeford resident Nicole Cartier its annual scholarship.Read More

South Shore Skin Center and Spa’s Recent Skin Cancer Screening Clinic Reveals Potential New Cases of Melanoma

During National Melanoma/Skin Cancer Awareness Month (May), the dermatologists at South Shore Skin Center and Spa spotted several potential cases of melanoma during their free Skin Cancer Screening clinic held at their Plymouth practice.

According to Dr. Richard F. Eisen, Board Certified Dermatologist and Founding Physician/Director of South Shore Skin Center, who took part in the screenings that evening, “Melanoma is rising rapidly in New England and in particular in the South Shore area. At our recent screening, we diagnosed one severe case of melanoma and three potential new melanoma cases which may be confirmed cases after biopsy.”

100 people from the South Shore and Plymouth areas attended the free screening evening. The event was a collaboration between Jordan Hospital Club Cancer Center and South Shore Skin Center and Spa and supported by the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Cancer Society.

Many who attended had fair skin and/or had never had their skin checked before.

South Shore Skin Center and Spa providers who were screening patients along with Dr. Eisen included Dr. Ramzi W. Saad (partner at South Shore Skin Center and organizer of the annual screening event), Dr. Emily P. Tierney, Dr. Barry M. Austin, Dr. William W. Stocker, Jessica L. Bahros PA-C, Elizabeth J. McLeish PA-C and Vanessa H. Pollard PA-C. Maryellen Maguire-Eisen, RN, MSN, Executive Director of the Children’s Melanoma Prevention Foundation was also on hand with the Glow Vista Skin Analyzer taking high definition profile photos which showed attendees the extent of their skin’s UV damage.

“New England has the highest concentration of melanoma cases in the United States. It is the most common cancer in young white women ages 25-29 and second only to breast cancer in women ages 30-34. This is the first time we have seen such a significant number of cases at a screening of 100 people. It is an indication of just how common and serious skin cancers are. It cannot be stressed enough – the way to minimize melanoma mortality is to protect the skin from UVA and UVB rays, to carefully perform monthly self-skin examinations and to obtain a skin cancer screening annually,” noted Dr. Saad.

South Shore Skin Center and Spa tips for preventing skin cancer:
Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun.
Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds.
Use ample amounts of sunscreen with a minimum SPF 30 every day, even if it is cloudy.
Wear protective clothing and large framed or wrap-around sunglasses to protect the eye area.
Have your skin checked by a dermatologist regularly.
Note any moles or other spots on the skin that have changed. Have them checked by a physician as soon as possible.

For concerns about the skin, contact South Shore Skin Center and Spa’s Plymouth
(508) 747-0711 or Cohasset (781) 383-3340 dermatology office.

About South Shore Skin Center and Spa
South Shore Skin Center and Spa is one of Massachusetts’ most progressive dermatology practices offering a wide range of medical, surgical and cosmetic services.

Founded in 1984, South Shore Skin Center and Spa is a unique team of physicians, physician assistants, nurses, medical assistants, surgical assistants, and licensed estheticians who are all specialists in dermatology and share a passion for excellence and a commitment to providing the highest level of care to both children and adults in the greater Boston area. In addition to the medical dermatology office and Mohs Surgical Unit for skin cancer, South Shore Skin Center and Spa offers cosmetic dermatology treatments for wrinkles, age spots, acne scarring, birthmarks, hair removal, tattoos and more using the Fraxel re:store DUAL and Fraxel re:pair lasers, DEKA SmartXide DOT, Candela VBeam, Gentlelase, Gentle YAG, and Alex lasers. The practice also offers a full range of affordable anti-aging services including Botox, Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm and other wrinkle fillers; volumizers such as Radiesse and Sculptra; microdermabrasion; medical grade facials, micropeels and chemical peels.

South Shore Skin Center and Spa is located at One Scobee Circle, Unit 3, in Plymouth, Mass. (508) 747-0711 and at 223 Chief Justice Cushing Highway, Suite 202, in Cohasset, Mass. (781) 383-3340. For more information, visit the website at www.southshoreskincenter.com.

Maryellen Maguire-Eisen, RN, MSN, Executive Director of the Children’s Melanoma Prevention Foundation (Hingham, MA) was on hand at South Shore Skin Center and Spa's recent Skin Cancer Screening taking high definition profile photos with the Glow Vista Skin Analyzer which showed attendees the extent of their skin's UV damage.

South Shore Skin Center and Spa’s Recent Skin Cancer Screening Clinic Reveals Potential New Cases of MelanomaRead More