Gardner Disability Commission Discusses Initiatives The Gardner Disability Commission met on June 10, 2026 to discuss several initiatives aimed at improving accessibility and community engagement. Listen to the meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY. Members proposed a summer hiatus while planning a transition to virtual meetings via Zoom or TeamsContinue Reading

Heywood Healthcare Announces Appointment of Chief Medical Officer Heywood Healthcare has appointed Dr. Kavita Babu to the position of Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Medical Affairs. According to the COMPLETE PRESS RELEASE, CLICK HERE, Dr. Babu brings more than 20 years of clinical and leadership experience and isContinue Reading

Once again, another accolade contributing to Gardner’s distinction as the “Model City for America” as Heywood Healthcare is featured as a great model for patient safety by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine. Congratulations, Heywood Healthcare! Copy of above graphic in printable letter size, CLICK HERE. Heywood Healthcare FeaturedContinue Reading

View our complete article page with complete narrative, infographics, and more. Listen here to the “Deep Dive” podcasts and watch the short produced video. Bees are important. BEE Populations in Decline – What’s Being Done Gardner Magazine has a complete report on the critical role of pollinators. Bee populations inContinue Reading

Board of Health Discusses “Presby System” and Landfill Challenges During Meeting The **Gardner Board of Health convened on May 11, 2026, to address several municipal infrastructure and public health matters. A significant portion of the meeting involved approving a local upgrade for a failing septic system on Otter River Road,Continue Reading

Fire, Building, and Health Department Updates at Public Safety Meeting Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY. Fire Department: Significant budget overages in overtime and vehicle maintenance. New safety grants funded radios. One-year delay for a critical new ladder. Resignation of firefighter leaves an opening. Building Department:Continue Reading

Short Board of Health Meeting Addresses a Number of Topics There was a rather short Gardner Board of Health meeting on April 6, 2026 at which Lauren Saunders was introduced at the newly appointed Health Director. This is Saunders second time in the position. You may recall Health Director SaundersContinue Reading

Is the Second time a Charm? Lauren Saunders is Director of Public Health in Gardner Lauren Saunders has been chosen as the Director of Public Health in Gardner. It had come down to two candidates who were interviewed at a March 12th meeting, Saunders and Assistant Director Angelia DiPrima. Saunders’Continue Reading

Have news about your Greater Gardner Relay for Life Team? Email: News@GardnerMagazine.com or call our voicemail line at (978) 632-6324. Gardner Magazine would be honored to interview any Team members and share your stories or promote your fundraising efforts. Email: News@GardnerMagazine.com or call our voicemail line at (978) 632-6324. GardnerContinue Reading

Grant Bringing Advanced Ultrasound to Heywood Hospital The Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts has announced a $150,000 grant to Heywood Hospital to fund the purchase of advanced ultrasound technology. This investment aims to modernize the hospital’s diagnostic capabilities, allowing for faster and more precise medical evaluations for patients inContinue Reading

The choice of the next permanent Health Director for Gardner MA is a big decision and we are providing complete coverage with the AUDIO of the 2 interviews, an explanation podcast discussing the issues, a debate with Max and Maxine Rogers each picking one candidate over the other, and anContinue Reading

Rozanna Penney, CEO of Heywood Healthcare stated: “We are encouraged to see a federal judge recognize that these survey practices can be misleading. Our community knows the quality of care delivered at Heywood Healthcare, but ratings that assign failing grades to hospitals that did not participate in a survey riskContinue Reading

Board of Health Meeting: Staffing Changes, Landfill Repairs, and House Condemnation Listen to the entire meeting on any device, CLICK PLAY. At the Gardner Board of Health meeting of March 4, 2026, the board covered various municipal updates and administrative actions. Acting Health Director Angela DiPrima details significant staffing changes,Continue Reading

Heywood Healthcare is Charging Towards the Future with Excellence as Fuel This week Heywood received yet another honor with President and CEO Rozanna Penney being named to the Becker’s 2025 List of “Critical Access Hospital CEOs to Know“. Becker pointed towards the transformation at Athol Hospital which jumped rapidly toContinue Reading

This Week’s Edition of our Weekly News Magazine “This Week in the Chair City” covering Gardner for Friday, February 13, 2026 Listen to “This Week in the Chair City” on any device. CLICK PLAY. In this week’s edition: Gardner PD Hires, Wachusett Business Incubator, Magnus Carlberg Interview, Apprenticeships in PublicContinue Reading

Billls pass Massachusetts House regarding the Apprenticeships in Public Construction and Heart Health at Sporting Events , both on a 154-1 vote. Now on to the MA Senate. State Representative Jonathan Zlotnik Announces the House Passage of Bills Regarding Apprenticeships in Public Construction and Heart Health at Sporting Events PressContinue Reading