Franklin Commmuity Health Network’s Johnson achieves fellow status

Ralph Johnson, chief information officer at Franklin Community Health Network, has achieved fellow status with the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society. The designation reflects his professional status and advancement within this professional society, according to a press release from the organization.

To reach the designation, Johnson documented that he has been a member of HIMSS for a minimum of five consecutive years as well as his professional participation experience, job experience and service to the society. He served as the 2013-2014 president of the New England Chapter of HIMSS.

A letter of recommendation from a fellow member was also required. Fellow members are considered leaders within HIMSS, are recognized at its annual conference and asked to participate in special task forces or workgroups, according to the release.

Johnson has worked at Franklin Community Health Network since 2006. During his tenure, IT has been a priority at FCHN, the release said. In the two years alone, all Franklin Health medical practices and the hospital emergency department converted from paper medical records to electronic medical records that provide instant and complete patient information to consulting health care providers, improving patient care.

In July, Franklin Memorial Hospital was named one of the nation’s most wired hospitals for the fourth consecutive year, according to the results of the 2014 Most Wired Survey Benchmarking Study. Most Wired hospitals show better outcomes in patient satisfaction, risk-adjusted mortality rates, and other key quality measures through the use of information technology, according to the release.

Alice James Books gets National Endowment for the Arts grant

Alice James Books, in Farmington, has received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to publish six books of poetry in 2015.

The publisher, which is getting $25,000, is one of 919 nonprofit organizations nationwide to receive an NEA Art Works grant, according to a press release from the NEA. The money will support the publication, promotion and distribution of six books of poetry, according to the release.

“We are so pleased by the NEA’s generosity and recognition this year,” said Carey Salerno, AJB’s executive editor, in the release. “It’s tremendous. AJB is looking forward to publishing the incredible collections of our 2015 poets. This $25,000 grant will go a long way toward helping bring great poetry to the community. We remain incredibly grateful for the NEA’s continued confidence in Alice James Books.”

Jane Chu, chairman of the NEA, said in the release, “I’m pleased to be able to share the news of our support through Art Works including the award to Alice James Books,” NEA Chairman Jane Chu said in a press release. “The arts foster value, connection, creativity and innovation for the American people and these recommended grants demonstrate those attributes and affirm that the arts are part of our everyday lives.”

Art Works grants support the creation of art, public engagement with art, lifelong learning in the arts, and enhancement of the livability of communities through the arts, the release said. The NEA received 1,474 eligible applications under the Art Works category, requesting more than $75 million in funding. The 919 will get a total $26.6 million in grants.

A complete listing of projects recommended for Art Works grant suppor can be found at arts.gov.

Alice James Books has been publishing poetry since 1973. The press was founded in Boston as a cooperative wherein authors performed the day-to-day undertakings of the press.

MaineGeneral Medical Center named Top Performer by The Joint Commission for second year in a row

The Joint Commission, the leading accrediting body for hospitals in the country, has named MaineGeneral Medical Center a Top Performer on Key Quality Measures for 2013, according to a press release from The Joint Commission.

MaineGeneral was recognized for using evidence-based interventions – those measures that improve outcomes – in the areas of heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia and surgical care, the release said.

This is the second year in a row that MaineGeneral has achieved the ranking. “This achievement demonstrates MaineGeneral’s commitment to making sure we deliver evidence-based interventions in the right way and at the right time – because it’s the right thing to do for our patients,” said Chuck Hays, CEO of MaineGeneral Health.

For more information about the Top Performers and a full report, go to www.jointcommission.org/accreditation/top_performers.aspx.

Marketplace at Augusta to hold family fun day

The Marketplace at Augusta, on Civic Center Drive, will hold a family fun day from noon to 3 p.m., Saturday. Events include a chance to get a photo with one of Santa’s reindeer, free Sanat photos, face painting, carolers, live music, a petty zoo and other events.

The Marketplace is also hosting angel tree gift-giving until Wednesday, Dec. 17.

The complex of stores is owned and operated by WS Development.