CHELMSFORD – Lowell General Hospital and Shields Health Care, in partnership with leading physicians from the region, announced today the opening of their new ambulatory surgery center in Chelmsford named The Surgery Center of the Merrimack Valley. The center is a newly renovated, 14,700 square foot facility featuring four operating rooms, pre-operative space, and a […]
By: Rick Bellanti – Feb. 2022 Here we are into our second month of the year and hopefully your New Year’s resolution to get healthy is still going strong. If your weight loss has slowed down a bit, it’s normal. Remember it’s not about just working out. You have to take a look at what […]
Dr. Piere Ghassibi Our winters are very cold, so let us review the dangers of exposure. We know that less than a thirty- minute exposure to very low temperatures can result in injury by freezing of the skin and underlying tissues. This can also happen in skin covered by clothing, especially if wet. Because the […]
By: Duncan Burns – Feb. 2020. There are now only 12 states with school mask mandates, 13 if New York appeals court ruling stands. Of course, all of these states are run by Democrats who apparently never want mandates to end. This is in light of traditionally Democrat publications (i.e., The Atlantic, NPR) calling for […]
By: State Rep. Linda Dean Campbell In response to the persistent pandemic challenges, the Massachusetts House of Representatives has passed legislation directing $55 million toward our most immediate needs. Thankfully, we have passed the peak in terms of our case rate – but case counts remain high in the Merrimack Valley and effective use of […]
By: Dr. Pierre Ghassibi – Jan. 2022 Greetings all. It is always important to see a health care provider when it comes to the breach of our skin protective function. Let me here review the basic mechanism or principle of healing of small wounds and superficial burns. (Deep and contaminated cases need professional attention) . […]
Dr. Piere Ghassibi – Nov. 2021 Greetings all, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Vitiligo, and Scleroderma are very serious diseases, although they can present as a spectrum with milder manifestations in some people, and very serious in others. We do not know the cause of these, but I have opinions. I have the right […]
By: State Rep. Linda Dean Campbell – Nov. 2021 It is time to get serious about mental health services for our students. Even for years before the pandemic, we saw a concerning rise in stress, anxiety, and depression among young people. COVID-19 only made things worse. Last year, many Massachusetts emergency rooms saw 4 times […]
By: Dr. Pierre Ghassibi – Oct. 2021 Greetings all. Here is my way of looking at back pain, a very common ailment: We call the back pain that many people get after lifting a heavy object MUSCULOSKELETAL back pain. It is very common. It is a sprain, often of the muscles, ligaments and bones of […]
Lawrence – For those who are grieving, navigating new rhythms of grocery shopping, preparing meals and dining without a beloved partner can cause added daily distress. Recognizing the deep connection between food and mourning, Merrimack Valley Hospice offers “Cooking and Eating for One” classes among its free, virtual support groups offered via the Zoom videoconferencing […]
The Greater Lawrence Community Action Council, Inc. is now accepting applications for food and rental assistance programs and is enrolling parents in two support groups. In addition, GLCAC will launch a new monthly show on Facebook Live to feature the services it offers and to answer viewer questions. Sign Up for SNAP at GLCAC The […]
Defendant injected individuals with silicone oil, which can cause stroke, death or disfigurement 10-9-21 BOSTON – A North Andover woman was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for performing illegal silicone injections in exchange for money. Gladys Araceli Ceron, 73, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to two years in […]
October, 2021 At a time when the Merrimack Valley desperately needs our elected officials at the highest level of government to experience the homeless crisis first hand, Lowell, like so many other communities, sweeps their homeless problem out of sight, or under the rug, as some may say. At issue; Lowell City Councilor Rita Mercier […]
Dr. Pierre Ghassibi, Valley Patriot Medical Columnist Sept, 2021 Greetings to all. After 44 years of medical practice, 30 years of which in Lawrence and North Andover, Massachusetts, I am retired but interested in writing a medical column exclusively here in The Valley Patriot and eager to share my points of view about common medical […]
By: Brian Genest – Sept. 2021 There are a lot of lucky and loved kids in Dracut. If you saw the Dracut School Committee meeting about mandatory masks, you saw that love and caring for yourself firsthand from their parents. The usually silent majority stood up, spoke out and made impassioned pleas on behalf of […]