SPRINGFIELD — Dakin Humane Society will hold a pet adoption event on Friday, July 11, and Saturday, July 12, from 12:30 to 3 p.m. at its shelter at 171 Union St. Adoption fees for cats and dogs will be reduced by $100 and there will be no fee to adopt other species at Dakin during those two days.
The adoption event is supported with grant funding from the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) as part of its National Shelter Initiative to help shelters that are struggling with ongoing capacity challenges, long-term staffing and veterinary care shortages, and an increasing number of animals requiring specialized care.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to partner with the ASPCA for this special event that helps kick off a joyful season of adoptions,” Meg Talbert, executive director at Dakin Humane Society, said in a statement. “Thanks to the ASPCA’s grant funding, countless lives — both human and animal — will be forever changed. This support allows our pets to find loving families quickly, and we are deeply grateful to our local adopters who open their hearts and homes.”
Adoption fees for cats and dogs at Dakin include a veterinary examination, spay/neuter surgery, age-appropriate vaccines, microchip and registration, as well as species-related tests and treatments. View pets that are available for adoption at dakinhumane.org/adopt-a-pet.
BOSTON — The Mass Cultural Council awarded nearly $2.24 million in grants through its Grants for Creative Individuals program in May. Of the 447 recipients, 17 are from Franklin County.
“Today’s celebration of grants to creative individuals helps ensure that Massachusetts remains a leader in offering the tools necessary for our creative and cultural economy to grow and thrive,” state Sen. Paul Mark, D-Becket, the Senate chair of the Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development Committee, said in a statement. “I am grateful to Mass Cultural Council for their role in preserving and protecting the arts at a moment when uncertainty is cutting across our economy.”
For this round of funding, the council received 3,084 eligible applications. In total, 14.5% of eligible applicants are receiving a grant, representing a 9.5% increase in approval over the previous year.
The Franklin County recipients, each of whom will receive $5,000, are: Victor Figueroa (multidisciplinary), Miguel Garate (folk/traditional arts) and Lisa Fortin (crafts), all of Ashfield; Charles Thompson (crafts) of Colrain; Tonya Lemos (visual arts) and Hannah Harvester (visual arts), both of Conway; Jason Robinson (music) of Erving; Ruby Nienna (multidisciplinary), Rivkah Gevinson (visual arts), Nellie Marshall-Torres (visual arts), Makoto Chi (visual arts) and Bella Levavi (multidisciplinary), all of Greenfield; Kristi Colbert (visual arts) of Leverett; Rebecca Weiss (folk/traditional arts) and Alyssa Kai (music), both of Montague; Christine Copeland (visual arts) of Northfield; and Dana Wilde (visual arts) of Rowe.
For the full list of awards, visit massculturalcouncil.org/artists-art/grants-for-creative-individuals/funding-list.
SPRINGFIELD — Health New England has committed $185,000 to fund Health Equity Mini-Grants to help address health or health care-related needs. Grants of up to $10,000 per organization will be awarded to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits that serve residents in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire or Worcester counties.
Applicants must focus on at least one social determinant of health — the social and economic factors that influence people’s ability to live healthy lives, such as built environment (including transportation, access to healthy foods), education, employment, housing and social environment (social isolation, institutional racism).
Eligible organizations can find more information and apply for a Health Equity Mini-Grant at healthnewengland.org/community/charitable-giving.
“We believe that achieving health equity requires collaboration and investment to address the unique needs of our communities,” Katie Bruno, manager of quality improvement programs at Health New England, said in a statement. “By supporting organizations that are addressing health disparities, we hope to help more people gain the resources and support they need to reach their full health potential.”
The deadline to apply is 11:59 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 4. Applications must be submitted online and be fully completed to be considered. With questions, email communitygiving@hne.com.
NORTHAMPTON — Cooley Dickinson Hospital has announced a new academic affiliation with the Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University, which will bring medical students to Cooley Dickinson for the first time.
Beginning in September, the partnership will provide third-year medical students with clinical rotations in core specialties such as psychiatry and emergency medicine. As part of the affiliation, Quinnipiac University will assist with housing logistics for medical students, and clinical faculty and advanced practice providers will receive academic appointments.
Accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, the Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine is a relatively new medical school, named in honor of the renowned surgeon and medical illustrator whose “Atlas of Human Anatomy” remains a core resource for health professions students. Faculty members are provided with a faculty development program focused on teaching skills, and career and leadership development. Cooley Dickinson faculty will have opportunities to participate in these professional development workshops and educational events.
Dr. Sundeep “Sunny” Shukla, vice president of medical affairs and associate chief medical officer at Cooley Dickinson, as well as assistant professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine of the Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University, has been instrumental in launching the affiliation. With a background in emergency medicine and a passion for health equity, Shukla views this collaboration as a way to train future physicians and build a robust academic environment at the hospital.
“This is an important step forward,” Shukla said in a statement. “Our affiliation with [the Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine] helps us invest in our people — our faculty, our [advanced practice providers] and our learners — while advancing high-quality care for our community. This is an exciting advance for Cooley Dickinson and we look forward to watching it grow.”
Dr. Lisa Coplit, interim dean of the Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine, said the school is “fortunate to welcome Cooley Dickinson Hospital as a clinical partner in our mission to educate compassionate and skilled doctors who address the needs of the communities that they serve. This affiliation not only expands the geographic and clinical diversity of our students’ training but also connects them with a health system deeply rooted in patient-centered care. Together, we are building a dynamic learning environment that prepares future physicians to lead with empathy, excellence and a commitment to improving access to care for all communities.”
FITCHBURG — A total of 35 students from Franklin County and the North Quabbin region were named to the president’s list and the dean’s list at Fitchburg State University for the spring semester.
To be named to the dean’s list, a full-time student must achieve an average grade of 3.20 or better for the semester.
The president’s list honors students for consistently high academic achievement. A student is named to the president’s list after achieving a 3.75 average in each of three successive semesters.
The seven Franklin County and North Quabbin students named to the president’s list are Kole S. Broderick of Gill; Howard G. Smith of New Salem; David J. Gambone of Orange; Peter W. Elliott and Nia R. Manderson-Matheson, both of Petersham; Srichakrika Gudimella of Sunderland; and Rebecca Cloar of Turners Falls.
The 28 Franklin County and North Quabbin students named to the dean’s list are Zachary A. Gallant, Sydney A. Gauvin, Katelyn J. Mahan, Lillian J. Maxwell, Tabitha L. Membrino, Kayden A. Mousseau, Sam S. Phaisikhieuv, Stalyn Quinones, William J. Raymond, Andrew J. Robinson, Jacob M. Sanville, Tyler J. Sargent, Aiden G. Truehart and Anna M. Wysocki, all of Athol; Elizabeth E. Rice of Bernardston; Jessica Tricolici of Gill; Ali Ahmad Asif, Conner J. Johnson and Samantha S. Murray, all of Greenfield; Michael E. Hall, Maddison L. Lloyd, Liam P. Lucas-Mullen and Jessica Omundsen, all of Orange; Abigail L. Floyd, Olivia R. Narkevicius and Savannah M. Peabody, all of Phillipston; and Ryan D. Darling and Emily E. Davis, both of Royalston.