From left, NVMC Interim President, Doreen Thomas, GPU Program Director, Andrew Tarasuk, Clinical Director, Susan Jamieson, Steward Community Liaison, Mary Richardson, NVMC Volunteer, Norma Garvin, Medical Director, Teresa Tedesco, Steward Chief Medical Officer, Justine Carr, President of New England Geriatrics, Steve Marcus

Nashoba Valley Medical Center recently celebrated the grand opening of its Garvin Center for Geriatric Psychiatry Unit with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Employees, patients, community members and special guests received tours of the $5 million facility, which includes 16 beds, a sensory therapy room and hallways that double as a walking path for seniors.

“Our seniors who were lucky enough to get into a geriatric psychiatry program were oftentimes too far away for their spouses to visit or were admitted to adult behavioral programs with food, music, activities and furniture more suited to a 22-year-old than an 82-year-old and we wanted to create an environment that would be soothing and would be conducive to health and wellness for our seniors patients.” said Doreen Thomas, Interim President of Nashoba Valley Medical Center “I could not be more proud of the future of Nashoba Valley Medical Center and our ongoing commitment to meeting the needs of our changing population.”

The ceremony included a presentation from Norma Garvin, a volunteer at Nashoba Valley Medical Center for 51 years and for whom the center is named after.

“Not only am I very honored, but the name Garvin Center for Geriatric Psychiatry seems like a perfect fit.” said Garvin. “After moving to Groton, my husband started his practice as a psychologist, so that covers the psychiatric part, and after 50 years with the hospital, I certainly qualify for the geriatric part.”

Steward Health Care’s Chief Medical Officer, Justine Carr said, “By 2030, there will be 15 million seniors who have either ongoing or intermittent health needs. We want to be responsive to their needs and to make sure that preventive services, acute services or long-term services are there when they’re needed.”

The Garvin Center for Geriatric Psychiatry will offer psychiatric care for adults ages 55 and older who suffer from any one of a number of acute or chronic or psychiatric conditions, including but not limited to: acute dementia with behavioral problems and those needing medication management, severe depression, anxiety, and bi-polar disorder.

About Nashoba Valley Medical Center

Nashoba Valley Medical Center (NVMC), a member of Steward Health Care, offers community-based primary care and specialty services. NVMC was awarded an A, the highest grade possible, in hospital safety by Leapfrog, and recipient of the Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval. Areas of clinical strength include emergency medicine, diagnostic imaging, cardiology, gastroenterology, oncology, orthopedics, physical therapy, and general surgery. NVMC also offers a comprehensive Diabetes and Endocrine Center, Travel Clinic and Occupational Health Services. To learn more visit www.nashobamed.org or call 978-784-9000.

About Steward Health Care System

Steward Health Care is a community-based accountable care organization and community hospital network with more than 17,000 employees serving more than one million patients annually in 151 communities. Each hospital and facility within the Steward family, while part of an extensive network of health care providers has its own rich history of providing outstanding, compassionate care right in the communities where patients need it most. Hospitals in the system include Carney Hospital in Dorchester, Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton, Holy Family Hospital in Methuen, Merrimack Valley Hospital in Haverhill, Morton Hospital in Taunton, Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer, New England Sinai Hospital in Stoughton, Norwood Hospital, Quincy Medical Center, Saint Anne’s Hospital in Fall River and St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Brighton. Other Steward Health Care entities include Steward Medical Group, Steward Health Care Network, Steward Home Care, Labouré College, and Por Cristo. Further information is available at Steward Health Care.