Welcome to Valley Medical Group

 

Valley Medical Group Patient News

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News and Information from Valley Medical Group

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November 2023

 

Valley Medical Group is always looking for ways to improve our communication with patients.  We want to be informative and engaging; brief but thorough.  It’s a challenge.   With that in mind, we have begun using a new outreach tool: two-way secure texting.  This will allow VMG to reach out to patients and receive text replies in return.  Our first effort was an outreach initiative for patients with high blood pressure, asking them if they had a home Blood Pressure cuff, offering to order one if they did not, and receiving updated home blood pressure readings.  Given its effectiveness, we anticipate additional outreach initiatives in the future. All messages are clearly labeled “Valley Medical Group.”

 

In other communication news:

• The patient portal is still the best method for communicating questions about your personal medical care.  It is a great way to ask a clarifying question about a new medication you were prescribed, report a side effect, review a lab result, or to confirm instructions from a recent visit.  Portal messages are reviewed and answered during hours the health centers are open.

• Please schedule an appointment if you have a new medical issue or are looking for a referral for a new medical problem.

• Portal messages are managed by VMG staff to review your messages and triage your requests in a timely manner. 

• As always medication refills are best managed by contacting your pharmacy.

 

To sign up for a portal account visit: vmgma.com

Click on the link for the Patient Portal

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Special Letter to Parents and Guardians of Teenagers

 

October 24, 2023

 

Dear Parent or Guardian of a VMG Teenager,

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I am writing to share some changes in how we communicate health information about our teen patients at Valley Medical Group.

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Massachusetts law grants special confidentiality protection to teens in certain circumstances (for more information, go to https://www.mass.gov/doc/consent-to-medical-treatment-by-minors-in-massachusetts). Unfortunately, current EHR technology does not allow for segmentation of your teen’s record to permit complete access and protect confidentiality.  For this reason, parental access to electronic health information for teens will be inactivated.  You’ll still be able to message us to request an appointment, make billing inquiries and ask questions, but other information will not be available.  Your teen will be provided with their own secure portal access.  

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Teens begin a remarkable period of development at age 12 where they grow in size and gain abilities, and are faced with unique opportunities and challenges. We recognize that adolescents need safe and reliable adults to guide them through this period. We also acknowledge that respecting and maintaining confidentiality is imperative for the health and well-being of our adolescent patients. 

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We are pleased that you have entrusted us with the care of your adolescent. We pledge to help your teen continue to get the support and advice they need from you while providing medical advice and care which respects their need and right to confidentiality.

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Paul D. Carlan, MD

President and Chief Executive Officer

Valley Medical Group 

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ADULT COVID-19 VACCINE CLINICS

The Genoa Pharmacy at the Greenfield Health Center will hold two COVID-19 vaccine clinics. 

Open to all VMG patients 18 and older.

 

DATES:

TUESDAY OCTOBER 24TH FROM 9AM TO 3:45PM

TUESDAY OCTOBER 31ST FROM 9AM TO 3:45PM

 

LOCATION:

GREENFIELD HEALTH CENTER

329 CONWAY STREET

VACCINES PROVIDED OUTSIDE THE HEALTH CENTER ADJACENT TO THE FLU VACCINE CLINIC

 

PFIZER COVID-19 VACCINE AVAILABLE

PROVIDED BY GENOA PHARMACY

GREENFIELD HEALTH CENTER, VALLEY MEDICAL GROUP

 

FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED UNTIL VACCINE SUPPLY COMPLETED

NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED

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INFORMATION REGARDING COVID-19 VACCINE AND PAXLOVID

COVID-19 VACCINE AVAILIBILITY IN THE COMMUNITY

 

CDC Bridge Access Program

The CDC’s Bridge Access Program offers COVID-19 vaccines at no cost for adults 18 years and older without health insurance and adults whose health insurance does not provide zero-cost coverage for COVID-19  vaccines.  COVID-19 vaccines through this program are available at select local pharmacies, local boards of health, select community health programs.  To find a location that is a part of the Bridge Vaccine Program visit: https://www.vaccines.gov/

 

Big Y Supermarkets and Pharmacy & Wellness Centers

October 1st thru October 7th Big Y Supermarkets and Pharmacy & Wellness Centers are hosting a week of immunization events throughout the entire chain in both Massachusetts and Connecticut store locations to offer Flu and COVID-19 vaccinations at NO COST* to all eligible age groups.

https://www.bigy.com/big-vax-week

https://www.bigy.com/pharmacy/covid19-vaccine-faq

 

Franklin Regional Council of Governments (serves Franklin County)

List of town-sponsored clinics and local retailers that are offering both annual flu and 2023-24 Covid-19 vaccine are available at:  https://frcog.org/project/vaccine-information/

Northampton Flu and COVID-19 Clinics

Listing of clinics in Northampton available at: https://www.northamptonma.gov/2219/Flu-and-COVID-Vaccine-Clinics

UMASS Amherst

The Public Health Promotion Center (PHPC) at UMass Amherst, in partnership with University Health Services and the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing, will conduct flu and COVID-19 vaccine clinics for the UMass campus community on Thursdays and Fridays starting this week.  The PHPC walk-in clinic is offering Influenza (flu) and COVID-19 vaccines throughout the fall semester on Thursdays (mobile clinics around campus) and Fridays (located at the Campus Center, lower-level room 101). The clinics are open to active students as well as UMass faculty and staff and their household members. 

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Additional information: https://tinyurl.com/bdzh5hye

 

COVID-19 Vaccine for Children Under 19 Years of Age

It is anticipated Valley Medical Group will obtain the updated COVID-19 vaccine thru the “Children’s Vaccine Program” and will have this vaccine for children under 19 years of age.

 

 

PAXLOVID

Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services has made available free telehealth consultations are available for eligible individuals 12 or older who are currently living in Massachusetts and insurance is not required. If you’re eligible, you’ll be connected with a clinician for a phone or video consultation within 30 minutes. This service is available in many languages.  Clinicians are available every day from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST.

 

Who can take Paxlovid?

Paxlovid is for individuals age 12 and older who have tested positive for COVID-19, are at increased risk of severe disease, and have developed COVID-19 symptoms in the last 5 days, even mild ones (such as runny nose, sore throat, or cough).
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/free-telehealth-for-covid-19-treatment-with-paxlovid

 

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FALL 2023 VACCINE INFORMATION (pdf version)

COVID-19 VACCINES
The FDA and CDC have approved an updated COVID-19 vaccine. The updated COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and older. Valley Medical Group supports vaccination and the CDC recommendations.

ADULT PATIENTS: Adult patients please contact your local pharmacy for the updated COVID-19 vaccine.

PEDIATRIC PATIENTS: Valley Medical Group expects to receive COVID-19 vaccine for children 6 months thru 18 years in the near future.

FLU VACCINES:
Valley Medical Group has received flu vaccines and recommends the flu vaccine for all ages.
Valley Medical Group provides vaccines during medical appointments and scheduled “flu clinic” appointments.

RESPIRATORY SYNCTIAL VIRUS (RSV) VACCINE
The CDC has recently recommended that patients 60 years and older consider getting the new RSV vaccine when it becomes available this fall. RSV is a virus that causes an upper respiratory infection that can lead to hospitalizations and associated complications, including death. Patients who are at greatest risk from the infections are those with heart disease, chronic lung disease, immunosuppressed patients and/or patients living in long term care facilities. Valley Medical Group supports you getting this vaccine if you have one of these conditions. Please contact your local pharmacy for the vaccine.

BEYFORTUS MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY MEDICATION

The state vaccine program has shared that due to an extreme shortage of this medication it will not be available to any medical practice.  Any availability of this medication is being reserved for hospital birthing units.

 

Beyfortus is a prescription medicine used to help prevent a serious lung disease caused by Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in: Newborns, babies under 1 year of age,  and children up to 24 months of age who remain at risk of severe RSV disease.

 

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                                           THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING VALLEY MEDICAL GROUP!
 

Valley Medical Group has been selected in several categories in this year’s Daily Hampshire Gazette Readers Choice Awards:

 

Winner: Best Family Doctor/General Practice

Finalist: Best Physical Therapy

Finalist: Best Podiatry Practice, Dr. Erskine

 

We are thrilled to be selected by patients and community members for the honor and privilege to provide your medical care.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) launched a statewide survey to improve community health. The 2023 Community Health Equity Survey was co-designed with residents and community partners across the state and examines the root causes of health outcomes to identify community strengths, gaps, health needs, concerns, inequities, and unintended consequences related to public health crises. Responses will be gathered through early fall 2023.

 

DPH’s Community Health Equity Initiative will use the survey findings to build on the state’s efforts to provide access to social and economic opportunities that keep people healthy, like affordable housing, reliable transportation, and nutritious, affordable food. The information you share will help DPH and community partners determine how best to allocate funding, improve programming, and develop policies to address health inequities. 

 

Who should take this survey? This survey is intended for anyone over the age of 14 who lives in Massachusetts. DPH specifically seeks to hear from communities who have been impacted by health inequities. 

 

How to take the survey: You may take the survey with a computer, phone or tablet. It will take around 15-25 minutes to complete. You can choose to complete the survey in Arabic, Cape Verdean Creole, Chinese (simplified or traditional), English, Haitian Creole, Khmer, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Those who are deaf or hard of hearing can also take the survey in American Sign Language later this summer.

 

Link for the survey: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/take-the-community-health-equity-survey

 

Let’s make sure the voices of Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden counties are represented in this data.

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May 9, 2023

 

Dear VMG Community,

 

Massachusetts is lifting the health care mask mandate as of the end of the day May 11th.  Given these changes and public health recommendations, Valley Medical Group is making the following changes:

 

• May 12th:  End of the mask mandate at Valley Medical Group.  Masks will no longer be universally required for patients, staff or practitioners who do not exhibit signs of respiratory illness.  

• Anyone who wishes to wear a mask is welcome to do so.

• Masks will still be required for individuals with signs of respiratory illness or concern for Covid-19.

  

We understand that there will be a range of reactions to these decisions.  We hope that as a community we can continue to support and respect one another and allow each person to navigate their personal safety, as they deem appropriate. 

 

Thankfully, we are now in an era where things have shifted, we have substantial population-level immunity from infection and vaccines, treatments that work, and currently a variant of Covid-19 virus that is less dangerous.  We will continue to remain apprised of updates in best practices and ask for your cooperation when policies and procedures need to shift or be updated.

 

Take care,

 

Dr. Marguerite Gump

Medical Director 

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Valley Medical Group’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Committee Mission

 

Our DEI Committee’s mission is to foster a culture that includes and values diverse social identities where staff and patients feel welcome working and receiving services in our organization. We value diversity and inclusion and strive to interact with our patients and staff equitably with respect and dignity.

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We commit to support our mission by seeking feedback and revising our policies and procedures, and we will continue to provide all members of our organization with the tools necessary through dialogue and education, to participate in the work of being a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization.

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