Baker-Polito Administration Announces $5 Million Grant for New WPI Laboratory for Smart, Secure Medical Device Innovation

Baker-Polito Administration Announces $5 Million Grant for New WPI Laboratory for Smart, Secure Medical Device Innovation

PracticePoint at Worcester Polytechnic Institute is an integrated engineering/healthcare research and development center that will accelerate the creation of smart, secure digital health technologies and support workforce development for the industry.

WORCESTER – Today the Baker-Polito Administration announced a $5 million matching grant from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech) to Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), to support the launch of a new landmark healthcare research and product development initiative called PracticePoint at WPI. The new award from MassTech’s Collaborative Research and Development Matching Grant Program will match contributions from WPI and private sector stakeholders, including GE Healthcare Life Sciences, and fund new integrated research and development labs focused on the commercialization of secure healthcare devices and systems.

Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito announced the grant this morning at a ceremony in Worcester, alongside WPI President Dr. Laurie Leshin and Ann R. Klee, Vice President of Boston Development and Operations at GE.

“PracticePoint at WPI will help ensure Massachusetts continues as a global leader in digital healthcare and the innovation economy,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Along with our administration’s existing investments in advanced materials, smart devices, data and cyber security, this new public-private research and development partnership will deliver new advancements that create jobs and improve the lives of patients across the globe.”

“This exciting new facility will offer space for researchers to explore new opportunities and technology like never before,” said Lieutenant Governor Polito. “By integrating medical labs with manufacturing and testing, PracticePoint at WPI will deliver new innovations and make the Worcester region a leader in delivering the next generation of healthcare advancements and jobs.”

Located at Gateway Park at WPI, the PracticePoint facility will provide simulated healthcare settings and integrate them with advanced research and development infrastructure, enabling companies large and small to test and evolve their technologies. Multidisciplinary academic and industry teams will conduct pre-competitive research at PracticePoint to advance the entire field. The center will also offer a range of educational and training opportunities for workforce development to support the growing digital health industry in Massachusetts, which already boasts over 350 companies. 

PracticePoint at WPI will focus on the development of cyber-physical healthcare systems and products. These systems and products could include any device that intelligently interacts with people or things, such as robotic diagnostic tools, image-guided surgical robots, sensor-enabled and personalized therapeutics, smart rehabilitation devices, smart orthoses and prosthetics, or home healthcare proxy devices. These smart and secure devices can help improve surgical procedures, rehabilitative care, and independent living, while ultimately enabling highly personalized precision therapies, procedures, and diagnostics to deliver truly personalized care.

The center will feature four settings -- surgical, clinical, rehabilitative, and home healthcare -- in a single research and development facility. The facility will accelerate digital health product development cycles by providing rapid point-of-practice testing that co-locates healthcare practitioners and technical teams, advanced manufacturing infrastructure, and testing technologies, while integrating secure data analytics and equipment to test technologies for cybersecurity vulnerabilities. 

The Commonwealth’s investment in PracticePoint will be matched by nearly $9.5 million in funds from WPI, as well as $2.5 million from GE Healthcare Life Sciences in both capital investments and imaging equipment. 

“Imagine new ways to treat inoperable tumors, new systems that allow elders to remain at home safely, or smart devices that speed rehabilitative care—these are just some of the extraordinary technologies we hope will emerge when we bring together creative engineers, scientists and clinicians to work in the novel setting that PracticePoint provides,” said WPI President Laurie Leshin. “I want to thank Governor Baker and Lieutenant Governor Polito, and the administration’s economic development team for partnering with WPI and GE to make this new initiative a reality.”

“The contribution of direct, in-kind and equipment totaling $2.5 million from GE Healthcare Life Sciences strengthens our longstanding connection with WPI, an important business, research and recruiting partner for GE. It also reinforces GE’s commitment to investment and innovation throughout Massachusetts in conjunction with the move of our headquarters to Boston,” said Ger Brophy, General Manager at GE Healthcare Life Sciences. “Worcester Polytechnic Institute prepares the next generation of scientists and engineers that we need at GE and GE Healthcare Life Sciences to continue our work of enabling clinicians and researchers to discover, develop and deliver life-changing therapies.”

The Commonwealth’s participation in PracticePoint at WPI advances the Massachusetts Digital Health Initiative, a statewide public-private economic development partnership the Baker-Polito Administration launched in January 2016. The administration has also formed a public-private Digital Healthcare Council, to accelerate the discovery and deployment of digital health technologies; launched a marketplace program, to connect early-stage digital health firms to pilot opportunities; led an economic development mission to Israel, focused on digital health and cybersecurity technologies; and supported the opening of a new digital health accelerator in Boston’s Fenway neighborhood, PULSE@MassChallenge.

“We are proud of our ongoing work to develop regional technology clusters, and harness emerging technologies as drivers of regional economic development,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash. “Worcester is already a leader in robotics, healthcare delivery, and the life sciences. PracticePoint at WPI will build on that expertise, and create a vibrant new economic engine in the heart of Massachusetts.”

“By making direct investments into innovation infrastructure, we are expanding the innovation capacity at our universities, and in turn, supporting the growth of industry clusters that are vital to the Commonwealth’s future economic growth,” said Tim Connelly, Executive Director/CEO of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative.“WPI has a strong track record of bringing together faculty and students with leading companies to advance research. We are confident that this investment will continue that track record, while boosting the competiveness of our Massachusetts companies and students as they engage with the global economy.”

This is the sixth award made by the Innovation Institute at the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative under the Commonwealth’s Collaborative Research and Development Matching Grant program, which makes high-impact capital grant awards in promising areas of technology innovation. Through the matching grant program, MassTech is also supporting the growth of regional emerging technology clusters in big data and cybersecurity, nanomanufactured smart sensors, printed electronics, marine robotics, and cloud computing.

The Collaborative Research and Development Matching Grant program was established in 2012, with a $50 million in capital authorization, to spur additional research and development activity in the Commonwealth’s regions. The Baker-Polito Administration secured an additional $15 million in capital authorization through the 2016 economic development legislation. Proposals funded under the program are reviewed by an Investment Advisory Committee composed of executives from academia, industry, and the venture capital communities.

Governor Baker, Members of the Administration Participate in “Saving by Shaving” Event

Governor Baker, Members of the Administration Participate in “Saving by Shaving” Event

QUINCY – For the third year in a row, Governor Charlie Baker got a buzz-cut at Granite Telecommunication's annual "Saving By Shaving" event to raise awareness for Dana Farber and to support pancreatic cancer research. He was joined by Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Matthew Beaton, MBTA Acting General Manager Brian Shortsleeve, Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch, Boston Red Sox President Sam Kennedy, Host of Greater Boston/Boston Public Radio Jim Braude, President and CEO of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Laurie H. Glimcher, MD, and other special guests. Over the last three years, the event has contributed nearly $9.7 million dollars to Dana Farber.

Granite Telecommunications, Quincy, MA

April 13, 2017

CLICK HERE TO WATCH

AG HEALEY OPENS THIRD ANNUAL GRANT APPLICATION PERIOD FOR HEALTHY SUMMER YOUTH JOBS

AG HEALEY OPENS THIRD ANNUAL GRANT APPLICATION PERIOD FOR HEALTHY SUMMER YOUTH JOBS 

$300,000 in Grant Funding for 150 Summer Jobs in Health, Fitness and Health Care in Communities Across the State

BOSTON – Aimed at providing young people in underserved communities with opportunities for employment that will impact public health and wellness, Attorney General Maura Healey has opened the application period for grant funding for an estimated 150 summer jobs across Massachusetts.

Beyond increasing youth employment, the Healthy Summer Youth Jobs Grant Program will use $300,000 in settlement funds to focus on promoting physical wellness and disease prevention among the state’s young people.

“This grant program provides much-needed summer jobs for young people that have direct positive impacts on their communities, and helps them to learn more about healthy living and wellness,” said AG Healey. “We are pleased to continue providing this funding each year in order to provide jobs for young people, benefit underserved communities, and advance public health across the state.”

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in July 2016, 11.5 percent of people 16 to 24 years old were counted as unemployed. Additionally, research has shown that health and wellness factors are strongly tied to income levels and that children from lower-income homes are more likely to be overweight and in poorer health than those from higher-income homes.

Examples of healthy summer youth jobs that could receive funding could include, but are not limited to:

·         Working as a coach, team leader or mentor for a pre-existing sports or fitness activity for low-income youth;

·         Working at a community health center;

·         Collaborating on a public health or health-related environmental justice project;

·         Working as a teacher or teacher’s assistant for an exercise or physical fitness class for low-income youth or seniors; or

·         Activities that are directly related to health care or the management or prevention of chronic diseases for low-income youth.

The AG’s Office will issue grants to municipalities, other agencies and nonprofits within the state that serve low-income and/or at-risk youth.

Grant awards will fund youth employment from July 10, 2017 through Aug. 25, 2017. Interested applicants can visit the AG’s website, www.mass.gov/ago/grants, for more information and for application instructions. Applications must be received by 4 p.m. on Friday, May 12, 2017.

波士頓經文處與中華公所再攜手辦「臺灣電影戲曲欣賞」活動

臺北經文處與中華公所攜手再度隆重推出「臺灣電影戲曲欣賞」活動

106年4月7日

駐波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處與紐英崙中華公所安排於今年4月至7月間放映四部典藏的臺灣電影及戲曲，每月一部免費欣賞，以饗愛好者。其中有懷舊的喜劇「今天不回家」、歌舞劇「百花公主」、金馬獎最佳劇情片「秋決」，也有「臺灣豫劇團」團長王海玲領銜演出的新編豫劇「劉姥姥」，部部精彩，歡迎電影及戲曲愛好者踴躍前往欣賞。

臺北經文處表示，去年下半年與中華公所合作推出「功夫灌籃」等四部臺灣電影後，廣獲華埠各界歡迎及好評，也反映期望繼續放映其他經典名片。為應各界期待，此次再自中華民國文化部「臺灣電影工具箱」及「傳統表演藝術工具箱」典藏中精選四部電影及戲曲代表作，每月一次於週六下午三時在中華公所放映。

經文處也指出，該系列欣賞會也邀請本地慈濟功德會共襄盛舉，提供大愛電視台的「大愛醫生館」節目醫療常識短片，於每次正式放映影片前播出，提供觀眾實用的健康養生資訊。

本活動相關資訊請洽中華公所617-542-2574或台北經文處617-259-1358。（併附電影欣賞海報圖檔，請參考。）

以下為活動相關資訊：

地點：紐英崙中華公所（90 Tyler Street, Boston, MA 02111）

一、4月22日（週六）下午3時

今天不回家，白景瑞導演，甄珍、武家麒、鈕方雨主演，1969年，103分鐘

二、5月13日（週六）下午3時

百花公主，王天林導演，金峰、張意虹、蔣光超主演，1959年，94分鐘

三、6月17日（週六）下午3時

秋決，李行導演，歐威、唐寶雲、傅碧輝、葛香亭主演，1972年金馬獎最佳劇情片、最佳導演、最佳男主角、最佳女配角、彩色攝影獎，99分鐘

四、7月15日（週六）下午3時

劉姥姥（新編豫劇），國立傳統藝術中心「臺灣豫戲團」王海玲（豫劇皇后）、朱海珊、蕭揚玲主演，2006年，105分鐘 (原文於四月七日發表)

第十九屆紐英崙中華民族舞蹈夏令營8/13開營

第十九屆紐英崙中華民族舞蹈夏令營

4

由中華藝術協會主辦的第十九屆紐英崙中華民族舞蹈夏令營將於八月十三日至八月十九日假藝協活動中心展開為期一週的舞蹈密集訓練，這是一個極獲盛譽且受歡迎的舞蹈夏令營，現已開始接受報名，歡迎家長們為孩子報名參加，讓孩子在漫長的暑假中有一個好去處。報名表可自藝協網址www.acas-ne.com下載，或電洽藝協 (617)332-5376。

舞蹈夏令營由中華藝術協會執行長陳玉律擔任營主任，課程包括中國舞蹈、芭蕾訓練、爵士訓練、Hip - Hop、中國舞蹈基本功及舞台化妝等。

在每天10:00AM ~ 5:30PM的課程中， 孩子們跟隨不同的老師學習，自其中體驗各種多元化舞蹈的不同風格。培養訓練孩子們團隊精神，中午由藝協提供精美中餐，下午還有點心時間。為了家長們接送的方便，每日早上9:00AM就開門，下午6:30PM才關門。是暑假期間孩子們的最好去處。

今年中國舞蹈課程聘請到舞蹈家蔡君柔(Mia Tsai)擔任。蔡老師畢業於國立台灣藝術學院，獲美國凱斯西儲大學 Case Western Reserve University in Contemporary Modern Dance碩士學位，是位很出色的舞蹈家。中國舞蹈基本功由藝協傳統中國舞蹈團的藝術總監陳嘉琪擔任。 芭蕾訓練教師由 ACAS Dance Studio 的芭蕾老師 Ms. Nina Cabral 擔任。爵士訓練教師由Deidre Williams擔任，她擔任紐英崙中華民族舞蹈夏令營的爵士訓練教師十餘屆，極受學員們愛戴。Hip Hop課程由曾獲American Dance Award Competition的金牌得主 Christin Collins擔任。舞台化妝由營主任陳玉律兼任。

八月十九日（週六）下午二點舉行結業典禮與學習成果展，免費對外開放，歡迎大家前來觀賞。

Baker-Polito Administration Awards Job Creation Incentives to 22 Life Science Companies

Baker-Polito Administration Awards Job Creation Incentives to 22 Life Science Companies

 Massachusetts Life Sciences Center awards $19 million to foster job growth in the life sciences throughout the Commonwealth

BOSTON – Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced more than $19 million in Massachusetts Life Sciences Center tax incentive awards, to 22 life sciences companies from across Massachusetts. The tax incentive awards will create 1,276 new jobs in the Commonwealth in 2017, and support life sciences job growth in 13 Massachusetts cities and towns. Nearly three-quarters of this year’s awardees are located outside of Boston and Cambridge. The awards were approved today by the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC).

“The Commonwealth is rich with talent and the spirit of innovation and I am pleased to announce these awards as an incentive to support more growth in the life sciences sector, said Governor Charlie Baker. “Our administration is focused on creating more jobs and supporting our economic engine to ensure Massachusetts continues to be a national leader in life sciences.”

“We are working to ensure every community has the opportunity to welcome the benefits of Massachusetts’ nationally-leading innovation economy,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “This award round advances that goal, by bringing new jobs to communities in every corner of the state, from Salem’s waterfront to the Berkshires.”

For the past two years, the MLSC’s competitive tax incentive program has focused on increasing regional diversity of the Massachusetts life sciences sector, augmenting the program’s manufacturing investments and giving opportunities to small- and medium-sized enterprises. The MLSC has recruited more applicants from companies located outside Boston and Cambridge, and awarded more tax incentives to small and medium companies, to encourage job creation in every region of the state.

“With this round of incentives, the Baker-Polito administration reinforces our commitment to job creation across Massachusetts,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Kristen Lepore. “These awards will support our innovation economy and help foster growth in the life sciences and the Commonwealth’s overall economy.”

“Massachusetts produces the highest density of science and technology graduates in the United States, and by accelerating the growth and success of small- and medium-sized businesses, we can more effectively retain this crucial talent,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash. “These incentives are one of the reasons we have been so successful in growing life science companies to scale, and we will continue to make strategic, impactful investments to provide our rich innovation ecosystem with the support it needs.”

“More exciting than the new jobs that are anticipated through this round of the program is the fact that so many are being created outside of the traditional areas we associate with innovation,” said Travis McCready, President & CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center. “We are committed to helping life science companies scale up and grow in the Commonwealth, both those born here and those global leaders with a growing footprint in the state.”

The 22 life sciences companies that have been authorized to receive tax incentives, the city or town in which they are located, the amount awarded and each company’s job creation commitment for 2017 are as follows:

Company	Location	Incentive Amount	Jobs
Abiomed Inc	Danvers	$750,000	50
Acorda Therapeutics, Inc.	Waltham	$495,000	33
Alkermes, Inc.	Waltham	$1,500,000	100
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.	Cambridge	$1,875,000	125
Anika Therapeutics, Inc.	Bedford	$225,000	15
Astellas Institute for Regenerative Medicine	Marlborough	$750,000	50
Berkshire Sterile Manufacturing	Lee	$370,000	25
Blueprint Medicines Corporation	Cambridge	$525,000	35
Commonwealth Diagnostics International, Inc.	Salem	$330,000	22
Confer Health	Charlestown	$150,000	10
EMD Holding Corporation	Billerica	$1,200,000	80
Fulcrum Therapeutics, Inc.	Cambridge	$270,000	18
Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc	Boston	$300,000	20
Insulet Corporation	Billerica	$1,650,000	110
Kala Pharmaceuticals, Inc	Waltham	$150,000	10
ProTom International Holding Corporation	Wakefield	$150,000	10
RADIUS HEALTH INC	Waltham	$150,000	10
Sage Therapeutics Inc.	Cambridge	$1,500,000	100
Shire Human Genetic Therapies, Inc.	Lexington	$3,000,000	200
Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.	East Walpole	$2,058,000	84
TESARO, Inc.	Waltham	$1,800,000	120
WAVE Life Sciences	Cambridge	$735,000	49

The Life Sciences Tax Incentive Program was established in 2008 as part of Massachusetts $1 billion Life Sciences Initiative. The program authorizes tax incentives each year for growing companies engaged in life sciences research and development, commercialization and manufacturing. The primary goal of the program is to incentivize life sciences companies of all sizes to create new, long-term jobs in Massachusetts.

The Life Sciences Act provides for 10 different incentives, which address the significant capital expenditures associated with the life sciences R&D cycle and the high costs of translating research into commercially viable products. This is the eighth year that incentives have been provided under the program.

The Tax Incentive Program is jointly administered by the MLSC and the Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR), which oversees the technical administration of the incentives. Jobs that are created must be maintained for at least five years. The Tax Incentive Program mandates that awarded companies submit reports and respond to inquiries by the MLSC and DOR regarding employment figures. If a company receiving a tax incentive under the program does not meet and maintain their minimum threshold for job creation, the credit can be recovered by DOR, requiring that the company pay back all or a portion of the tax incentives received.

As of June 30, 2016, 122 companies had active or completed tax incentive awards from prior years, totaling more than $113 million. Those prior awardees have created more than 5,400 new jobs after receiving their tax incentives.

Baker-Polito Administration Establishes Council to Address Aging in Massachusetts

Baker-Polito Administration Establishes Council to Address Aging in Massachusetts

State’s first advisory council on aging will guide administration policy to support healthy aging 

CAMBRIDGE – Today, at MIT AgeLab in Cambridge, Governor Charlie Baker signed an Executive Order establishing the state’s first Governor’s Council to Address Aging in Massachusetts. The Council will develop a plan to improve public and private efforts to support healthy aging in Massachusetts, to achieve the goal of making the Commonwealth the most age-friendly state for people of all ages. Older adults are the largest and fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population and they will make up 23% of the Commonwealth’s population by 2035.    

 “The notion that people are fully retired at the age of 65 is inconsistent with what I see around Massachusetts every day,” said Governor Charlie Baker.  “Many of our older adults still have ample time, energy and talent available to start a second or third career, volunteer in their community, become a mentor or pursue an unfulfilled passion. I look forward to the council’s work considering ways for the state to improve public and private means for supporting and engaging with older adults.”

The council will be co-chaired by two social workers, philanthropist Eileen Connors and Executive Office of Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders, and is comprised of leaders across the business community, health care, technology and innovation, advocacy organizations, caregivers, and municipal leaders.

“Each municipality across the Commonwealth must be prepared to support an aging population,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito.  “I look forward to the council’s recommendations on what the state can do to celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of older adults, while protecting their right to live in respectful, inclusive communities, free of ageism.”

“Many older adults work, volunteer, and contribute to their communities through civic engagement,” said Eileen Connors, Council Co-Chair. “One in four people 65+ volunteer in a variety of capacities and continue to contribute to our state.”

“The Council will identify current effective and efficient practices, gaps in services and opportunities to support healthy aging,” said Marylou Sudders, Secretary of Health and Human Services and co-chair of Council.  “The Council’s plan will also include recommendations on improving public awareness of and access to services for older adults and family caregivers.”

“Healthy aging requires actively engaging with older adults as contributors to the social, economic, and civic fabric of our communities and encouraging physical and psychological health and well-being,” said Alice Bonner, Secretary of Executive Office of Elder Affairs. 

“Increased longevity is among humankind's greatest achievements,” said Joseph F. Coughlin, Director of the MIT AgeLab. “The challenge we now face is to live not just longer, but also better. Innovations being developed here at MIT and throughout the Commonwealth promise to improve life for older adults and their families. Moreover, these new technologies, services, and related businesses are fast positioning Massachusetts as the global leader in the fast-growing longevity economy.”

The Council will be supported by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs. The full list of Council members  is below:

• Eileen Connors, Philanthropist, Co-Chair
• Marylou Sudders, Secretary of Health and Human Services, Co-Chair
• Bill Caplin; Retired, Insurance & Financial Planner, Transamerica Life Companies and Transamerica Financial Advisors, Inc.
• Ruth Moy, Executive Director, Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center
• Joseph F. Coughlin, Director, MIT AgeLab
• Rosanne DiStefano, Executive Director, Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley Inc.
• Kevin J. Dumas, Mayor, City of Attleboro
• Tom Grape, Chairman and CEO of Benchmark Senior Living
• Dan Henry, Chief Culture Officer, Bright Horizons
• Laura Iglesias M.D., Geriatric Medicine, Baystate Medical Center
• Steven Kaufman, Clinical Psychologist
• Brian O’Grady, Ph.D, Director, Williamstown COA & MCOA President
• Janina Sadlowski, Head of Quality & Regulatory Philips Home Monitoring  
• Amy Schectman, President and CEO,  Jewish Community Housing for the Elderly
• Tom Riley, President & CEO, Seniorlink
• Ger Brophy, Chief Technology Officer, Life Sciences, General Electric Healthcare
• Beth Dugan,  Associate Professor, Department of Gerontology, McCormack Graduate School, UMass Boston.
• Betsy Howell-Hampton, Vice President, Population Health at Reliant Medical Group
• Nora Moreno Cargie, President, Tufts Health Plan Foundation
• Alicia Munnell, Director, Boston College Retirement Research Center
• Kate Fichter, assistant secretary for policy, MassDOT
• Alice Bonner, Secretary of Elder Affairs
• Ron Walker, Secretary of Workforce Development 
• Jay Ash, Secretary of Housing and Economic Development

The Council is expected to deliver a preliminary report to the Governor by the end of 2017.