Medford Transcript
August 7, 2007
http://www.townonline.com/medford/news/x748940415

By Nell Escobar Coakley

When Hallmark Health first announced in 1997 that it planned to take over several aging community hospitals, including Lawrence Memorial, there was some apprehension in the city. A decade later, the healthcare system has not only proven its commitment to Medford’s residents, but continues to search for ways to improve its quality of care.

On a hot summer afternoon, LMH’s Executive Vice President Christine Candio is studying a page of all the improvements made at the hospital since she arrived five years ago.

“I’ve seen a lot of changes,” she says, of the 134-bed community hospital. “We’ve really grown in terms of the services we offer and the volume of patients treated.”

Since 2006, admissions to the hospital have gone up by 9 percent, a trend that Candio credits to the growth of staff, services and of course, upgrades to a physical plant more than 100 years old.

Melrose Free Press
July 26, 2007
http://www.townonline.com/melrose/health/x644212533

“Whenever young children and families are in need, Sharon Burton will not be far away.”

So began the introduction written about Sharon Burton, Melrose resident and Hallmark Health employee, who was recently named recipient of the 2007 Community Service Award by the Tri-City Community Action Program Inc. (Tri-CAP). For the past three years, Burton has served on Tri-CAP’s Head Start Policy Council, and is a council member of the Malden-Everett Family Network. And as the local coordinator for the Women, Infants and Children program (WIC), Burton is responsible for making sure doctors in the area are aware of services offered by WIC for low-income families. But perhaps Burton’s busiest role is running the Mothers Helping Mothers Free Clothing Store in Malden.

The Boston Globe
By Davis Bushnell, Globe Correspondent
July 12, 2007
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/07/12/with_healthier_bottom_line_hallmark_expands_reach/

Outpatient facility set for Reading

In August 2000, three years after its founding, Hallmark Health System was in shaky financial health. Its bonded indebtedness was $106 million, and there was talk about how much longer the company could last.

Today, the future is much brighter for Melrose-based Hallmark Health, chief executive Michael V. Sack said last week during a tour of a new outpatient facility in Reading.

The Reading facility, which is expected to open July 23, represents not only a stronger bottom line but also a corporate push north and west of Hallmark's traditional geographic boundaries.

"We've had four years of profitable performance, and our bond rating has been adjusted upward four times," said Sack, 58, who oversees a healthcare network that includes two flagship hospitals, the 234-bed Melrose-Wakefield and the 134-bed Lawrence Memorial of Medford.

The Reading Advocate
July 5, 2007

Doors open for healthcare

“Location, location,” could be heard all through Friday’s VIP luncheon at the new Hallmark Health medical facility at 30 New Crossing Road. The facility, which is slated to open to patients on July 23, held the luncheon for local officials and business people to show off the nearly finished refurbishment of the building.

“I think it’s a perfect location,” said Wakefield Selectman Betsy Sheeran. “Parking is ideal. I think we need something convenient. It’s good for both communities. It’s an up and coming area with all new construction. It’s convenient. The services available here will service the community well.”