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Dear HealthFirst Community,
This month’s newsletter highlights something truly special about community health: the incredible things that happen when people come together with compassion and purpose.
I continue to be inspired by the success of our 2nd Annual Fashion Fusion event. More than 125 guests joined us to celebrate the rich diversity of Greater Fall River, helping raise nearly $25,000 to support HealthFirst programs and services. The evening was a beautiful reminder that healthcare is about more than medicine — it is about honoring culture, building connection, and supporting one another.
May is also Mental Health Awareness Month, an important opportunity to remind ourselves that emotional well-being matters just as much as physical health. At HealthFirst, we remain committed to reducing stigma, expanding access to behavioral health services, and ensuring individuals and families know they are not alone.
I am especially grateful for the continued support of our Little Voices, Big Feelings Annual Appeal, which helps expand pediatric behavioral health services for children and families in our community. Every contribution brings us closer to ensuring more young people receive compassionate care close to home.
Finally, we are excited to launch recruitment for our new Family Nurse Practitioner Residency Program, an important investment in strengthening the future of primary care in Greater Fall River. Thank you to the Atrius Health Equity Foundation and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for your commitment to expanding access to primary care here on the South Coast.
Thank you for being part of the HealthFirst community and for helping us continue building a healthier, more connected future together.
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Nearly $25,000 raised for HealthFirst
HealthFirst’s 2nd Annual Fashion Fusion was an incredible evening celebrating culture, community, and compassion — and thanks to the overwhelming support of our sponsors, guests, models, volunteers, and community partners, the event raised nearly $25,000 to support HealthFirst programs and services.
More than 125 guests gathered to enjoy a vibrant showcase featuring over 40 walkers and fashions representing 18 different cultures from around the world. The evening highlighted the beauty of diversity while bringing the community together for an important cause.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who helped make Fashion Fusion such a memorable success. Your support continues to help HealthFirst provide compassionate, quality care to the communities we serve.
You can relive the excitement of this year’s Fashion Fusion by visiting the HealthFirst website to view event photos, celebrate the incredible cultural showcases, and recognize the generous sponsors who helped make the evening such a success.
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Family Nurse Practitioner Paid Residency Program
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HealthFirst is excited to share a major step forward in our commitment to strengthening primary care in the Greater Fall River community.
We have officially launched the search for candidates for our new Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Residency Program, set to begin this September. This innovative program will welcome two FNP residents and is designed to support newly graduated nurse practitioners as they transition into practice with confidence, skill, and a strong sense of purpose.
Through a combination of ongoing didactic learning, dedicated mentorship, and a gradual approach to building their own patient panels, residents will gain the hands-on experience and support needed to thrive in a community health setting. By investing in this next generation of providers, HealthFirst continues to advance its mission of delivering high-quality, patient-centered care to the medically complex populations we serve across Greater Fall River.
We are grateful to have strong leadership guiding this initiative. Katie Tavares, FNP will serve as Program Director, bringing her clinical expertise and passion for mentorship, while De-Anne Machado will provide essential administrative support to ensure a successful program launch.
If you know a recent graduate or someone preparing to complete their FNP program, we encourage you to share this opportunity. Interested candidates can learn more and apply by visiting our employment page: https://www.healthfirstfr.org/employment/
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Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness, reducing stigma, and encouraging open conversations about mental health. Just as we care for our physical health, it is equally important to care for our emotional and mental well-being.
Mental health affects how we think, feel, and act. It also influences how we handle stress, connect with others, and make decisions in our daily lives. Everyone experiences challenges from time to time, and taking care of your mental health is an important part of overall wellness.
This month serves as a reminder that no one is alone. Anxiety, depression, stress, burnout, and other mental health concerns can affect people of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life. By creating supportive environments where people feel safe to speak openly and seek help, we can help break down barriers and encourage healing.
There are many simple ways to support your mental well-being, including:
- Taking breaks and allowing time to recharge
- Staying physically active
- Connecting with family, friends, or coworkers
- Practicing mindfulness or relaxation techniques
- Getting enough sleep
- Asking for help when needed
It is also important to check in on those around us. A kind word, a listening ear, or a simple conversation can make a meaningful difference in someone’s day. At HealthFirst Family Care Center, we are committed to supporting the mental and emotional well-being of our community.
Our Behavioral Health Department provides compassionate, patient-centered care and resources to individuals and families seeking support for mental health concerns. If you or someone you know may benefit from behavioral health services, we encourage you to reach out to learn more about available programs and support services.
Seeking help is a sign of strength, and support is available.
Learn more about Mental Health Awareness by visiting the "Heartbeat of Healthcare" page at Fall River Community Media.
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This month, we are proud to highlight Lisa Dacunha, a dedicated member of our team who brings compassion, teamwork, and commitment to every patient interaction.
Lisa serves as a Supervisor for our Medical Patient Services Representatives and has been with HealthFirst for 15 years.
Over that time, she has built lasting relationships with both patients and colleagues while helping strengthen the quality of care provided at the front desk.
Born in New Bedford, MA, with Portuguese roots, Lisa takes pride in her heritage and community. Outside of work, she enjoys camping and spending time with family, and appreciates the simple joys of life. Her favorite foods include Portuguese cuisine and pizza, and when it comes to entertainment, she enjoys comedies, action movies, and rock music.
What she enjoys most about her role is the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on patients’ experiences while working alongside a supportive, collaborative team. She values the strong teamwork across departments and the shared commitment to quality patient care.
Lisa shared that serving the community means providing compassionate, respectful care and ensuring every patient feels supported. She hopes to help others feel respected and reduce stress during difficult times. She is inspired by the impact of small acts of kindness and by the team’s shared commitment to improving patient care every day.
We thank Lisa for her 15 years of service, leadership, and continued dedication to our patients and community.
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| | Learn about the ways you can give and make a difference in the lives of our patients. | | |
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, we have raised $11,567 toward our $25,000 goal for the Little Voices Big Feelings Annual Appeal. We are deeply grateful...but the need has never been greater.
Winter months can be especially difficult for children and teens. Shorter days and less sunlight often intensify feelings of anxiety and seasonal depression. At the same time, today’s youth face pressures many of us never experienced — the constant presence of social media, cyberbullying, academic stress, and the challenge of navigating friendships in an always-connected world.
Behind every quiet child may be big feelings they don’t yet have the words to express. That’s why Pediatric Behavioral Health services are so critical. Early intervention can change the trajectory of a child’s life. It can mean the difference between struggling in silence and receiving compassionate, professional support when it’s needed most.
Your gift to the Little Voices Big Feelings Annual Appeal will directly support the expansion of our Pediatric Behavioral Health program, allowing us to:
- Increase access to timely counseling and support services
- Expand staffing to meet growing demand
- Provide families with tools and resources to help their children thrive
- Ensure more children in our community receive care close to home
Every dollar brings us closer to our goal and closer to helping more children feel heard, supported, and understood.
If you haven’t yet given, we invite you to consider contributing today.
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HealthFirst Family Care Center
387 Quarry St.
Fall River, MA 02723
(508) 679-8111
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