
LOWELL, Ma. — When it comes to public support of important community issues, Fairhaven Healthcare Center steps up and lets everyone know where it stands.
When driving by their property on Varnum Avenue, right down the street from Lowell General Hospital, you cannot miss their massive 30-foot-long banner that says “Fairhaven Supports Our Local Law Enforcement”.
Fairhaven is a well-reputed rehabilitation facility and long term care center that has a lengthy history of close relationships with the citizens of Lowell when it comes to taking care of the city's elderly, and for caring for those short-term patients suffering from multiple diagnoses.
Regarding the banner, Tom Gomes, Executive Administrator at Fairhaven, said "I couldn’t be more proud of our employees. They came up with the idea to pay homage and respect to those in law enforcement who risk their lives for all of us every day." Gomes is a highly-respected administrator with 30 years of top-level executive management experience in the financial and money management sector, in high technology and the healthcare industry. He’s been at the helm of Fairhaven for two years and has overseen major organizational reform, achieved financial stability and directed various building improvements.
"We're blessed to have such a phenomenal group of employees at Fairhaven who not only provide exceptional care for our patients but care just as much about the community we are an integral part of," Gomes said. "It’s an amazing team."
The recent climate for those who have taken an oath to "serve and protect" has been tumultuous, with front-page headlines often depicting law enforcement in a negative light. But many people, and conscientious companies like Fairhaven Healthcare Center, have taken a public stand in support of their local police officers.
Georgia Wayne, BSN, Director of Nursing for Fairhaven said "We are privileged to be given the responsibility of taking care of a generation of wonderful people who were raised to believe in 'the good of the masses' — and not the indiscretions of just a few police officers around the country. It's wonderful to be reminded often by this entire generation of this important fact."
Emily Getchell, RN, Staff Development Coordinator at Fairhaven, said "My husband is a police officer. My brother is a police officer. It's in my family's blood. I've always been fortunate and proud to work at Fairhaven, but after seeing this huge banner so proudly displayed in our front yard — well, it's very emotional for me and so many others who work here."
Steve Williams, Director of Social Services at Fairhaven, said "I don’t understand why every business in the city isn’t doing the same thing. We need our police. When they are here as escorts to ambulances or 911 calls, their professionalism and demeanor is exceptional. They're often seen calming down nervous family members and helping people through tense situations. Really, they're fantastic."
So, kudos to Fairhaven. The management and employees at this healthcare faciltiy remain quite proud of their public display of support for law enforcement. Fairhaven Healthcare Center is a small non-profit organization that works just as hard in its community as it does in providing daily healthcare for neighbors, friends and citizens of the greater Lowell area.