July news from Whittier Health Network

Jul 01, 2026 2:04 pm

JULY 2026

Our monthly newsletter is dedicated to keeping you informed about people, news and events at our hospitals and transitional care units in Haverhill and Westborough, MA. At Whittier, we are dedicated to your well-being!

Celebrating Staff | Whittier Westborough

Vilva De Araujo, EVS Shift Supervisor, was our June Distinguished Service Award winner!👏

For 19 years, Vilva has been a dedicated team player, but her actions over the past few months truly define what it means to be a distinguished team player. While the Environmental Services department worked to fill a leadership role, Vilva stepped up without hesitation. She adjusted her hours and shifted her schedule to ensure the EVS department was fully supported, guiding us through this transition with hard work and a helpful attitude. We are thankful for everything she does for us every single day!

More staff stories on social!

Nurturing the next generation of nurses | Whittier Bradford

Seniors from St. Croix and St. Thomas completed their required clinical rotations at Whittier before graduation from University of the Virgin Islands.

Chéna Marie, a nursing student, was among our group of ten incredibly motivated and engaged seniors. She wrote to us: “I had an amazing week at Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital with my girls, where I had the opportunity to learn from experienced healthcare professionals and participate in a variety of hands-on experiences. Throughout the week, we explored different aspects of patient care, teamwork, and nursing skills that helped strengthen our nursing skills. I am so grateful for this experience!” 💙 For more about the beginnings of this partnership, read here and here.

Patient Success | Whittier Westborough

We welcomed Mark with a celebratory walk-through when he returned to say goodbye to those he missed when he was discharged. 💪👏

After spending seven months in rehab at Whittier following a severe case of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), Mark’s recovery was nothing short of inspiring. Beyond his own progress, he consistently encouraged and uplifted other patients, making a positive impact on everyone around him. Mark’s strength, positivity, and perseverance has left a lasting impression on our Whittier family. We could not be more proud of all he has accomplished and wished him continued success and happiness as he moves forward in this next chapter of his recovery at home.❤

See the video

Retirement Celebration | Whittier Health Network

After an impressive 38-year career in the prosthetics field, Mike Domenicucci has retired from Cornell Orthotics & Prosthetics.

For the past 20 years, Mike has served at Whittier and has been a valued member of our team. To recognize his years of service and commitment, the Outpatient Department created a special “sweet” tribute in his honor. In true Mike fashion, however, he couldn’t resist helping himself to the candy before his official photo was taken! Mike said he will now focus on spending more time with his family, tending to his garden, and pursuing his love of watercolor painting. He will be greatly missed by both staff and patients alike.

More about Cornell at Whittier

CNA Week at Whittier | Whittier Bradford + Westborough

We celebrated our amazing CNA’s - the best of the best! 👏 💙️

“Certified Nursing Assistants are the essential foundation of successful recovery because their vigilant, hands-on care bridges the critical gap between intensive therapy sessions and everyday medical stability.” –Robert C. Fisher, RN, MBA-HCM, MSN Director of Nursing Services, Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital-Bradford.

Lorie Cerone, RN/Nursing Supervisor, Quality Assurance Nurse at Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital-Westborough, added: “CNAs typically spend the most time with patients and provide direct care. They are our eyes and ears to help recognize early or subtle changes in our patient’s physical or mental status. They help our patients safely ambulate and assist with ADL’s, and often times the CNAs are just lending an ear, offering companionship. All are important aspects of our patient’s rehabilitation and recovery outcomes.” 💙

Service Spotlight | Physical Therapy

Whittier’s dedicated Physical Therapists evaluate and develop a custom treatment plan to improve the overall function and mobility of our patients.

Exercise and strengthening programs are individualized to challenge patients, starting at the most basic level and progressing in complexity as patients gain strength, endurance, and function throughout their stay. Our physical therapists are a crucial part of the inpatient and outpatient therapy treatment teams at Whittier. Our objective is to help you get back to your best life!

Did you know?

• At the Whittier Bistro in Bradford, our most popular breakfast menu items are the breakfast sandwich, hash browns, and the breakfast burrito. For lunch, our hot sellers are the chicken panini, chicken and beef burritos, chicken quesadillas and the taco bar. Have you been to the Bistro? Check out our reel for more delicious choices.

• At our Bradford location, we’ve upgraded our body-weight support treadmill from the AlterG to the Boost 3 Microgravity® Treadmill. Developed by the founders of AlterG, the Boost 3 continues the same support technology we’ve trusted, giving our patients and athletes another great option for injury rehabilitation, return-to-run programs, post-operative recovery, and low-impact training. 🏃

• Whittier was founded 44 years ago with the opening of Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital-Bradford in 1982 by Dr. Alfred L. Arcidi and his sons. Since then our two hospitals have helped thousands of patients return home after an injury or illness, with the skills, confidence and independence needed for a quality, satisfying life.

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