With the help of a small staff and more than 100 volunteers, the Thrift Shop sells merchandise donated by the island community - anything from books to furniture to artwork - from late May through mid-October, and operates as a separate non-profit organization.

This year's $200,000 gift has been designated for three specific purposes, including: $164,000 toward the new home of the hospital's Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy Associates at Freedom Square; $24,000 to the NCH Social Services Department; and $12,000 for the Marla Lamb Fund, which offsets the cost of transportation for island cancer patients and is administered by Palliative And Supportive Care of Nantucket (PASCON). Read more here (PDF) 

"We are thrilled and so grateful to accept these wonderful gifts from the Thrift Shop 

that will do so much for the hospital and our patients. The Thrift Shop is an 

incredible asset to this community and has played such a key role in helping 

the hospital fulfill its mission," says Dr. Margot Hartmann, President & CEO.

From left is Kelly Facteau, head of NCH's Sports Medicine & Physical Therapy Associates, 

NCH President and CEO Dr. Margot Hartmann, Thrift Shop Board of Directors 

President Cathy Ward, PASCON program assistant Ginnie Faria, and 

NCH chief operating officer Jim Kelly.

When did you start at Nantucket Cottage Hospital?

October 2013

What is your role at NCH?

I am the Associate Medical Director of Radiology at Nantucket Cottage Hospital. My role is to work with our team of managers and technologists and the world-renowned Department of Radiology at Massachusetts General Hospital to provide the highest quality diagnostic imaging services to the Nantucket community.

What is your background and qualifications?

After completing a fellowship in Abdominal Imaging at Massachusetts General Hospital, I took a job with a private practice radiology group in Houston, TX.  There I witnessed firsthand the increasing importance of minimally invasive, imaged-guided procedures in the clinical care of patients. This led me to return to Massachusetts General Hospital to pursue additional sub-specialty training in Interventional Radiology. After finishing that training I was asked to stay on faculty at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School and was given the privilege to lead the diagnostic imaging operations at Nantucket Cottage Hospital.

How and why did you get into radiology?

Over the past two decades, the role of diagnostic imaging in patient care has grown immensely.  I decided to become an interventional radiologist because I value the unique opportunity to work with a diverse group of physicians across all specialties to provide patients with safe and effective care. My clinical duties include performing and interpreting diagnostic imaging studies in addition to treating a variety of medical condition using imaged-guided therapies. I love my job, I value my interactions with patients and I feel privileged to be entrusted with their care. 

What is your favorite aspect of your job?

The best part of my job is working with the amazing team of physicians and support staff at Nantucket Cottage Hospital to ensure the highest quality patient care. The team at Nantucket Cottage Hospital shares my passion for clinical care and my dedication to the patient experience. Our shared vision and the team atmosphere make my work rewarding and enjoyable. 

What should people know about the NCH Imaging Services department 

that they may not know now?

In addition to continuing our commitment to patient safety and quality care, my next goal is to expand the services at Nantucket Cottage Hospital to improve patient convenience and access to care. Based on my background in interventional radiology, I am exploring the possibility of bringing new services to Nantucket, including certain minimally-invasive, image-guided procedures. Currently, patients have to travel off the island for these procedures.

The Nantucket community should also know that the Nantucket Cottage Hospital Department of Radiology is backed by the 120+ radiologists at Massachusetts General Hospital and led by Dr. James Brink, Chief of Radiology at MGH. As a result, our patients get both the comfort of a community hospital and the world-renowned diagnostic imaging expertise of the orthopedic radiology, abdominal radiology, chest radiology, vascular radiology, breast radiology, pediatric radiology, emergency radiology, and neuroradiology specialists at Massachusetts General Hospital. The Nantucket community will have direct access to expertise that others travel from all over the world to obtain.

What have you learned about Nantucket so far?

Nantucket has a rich history and unique culture. In my limited experience on the island, it is abundantly clear to me that this is a tight-knit and passionate community. The community has welcomed me warmly and I appreciate it deeply. Since taking the position at Nantucket Cottage Hospital I have also made it a point to read more about the community. This has included a variety of books and daily perusal of the Inky. However, the best way for me to know this island is to know its residents. Therefore, I look forward to meeting more members of this diverse community (outside of the hospital!) and hope that you will share your personal stories of life on the island with me.  

Education:

BA: Rice University; Houston, TX

MD: University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; Philadelphia, PA

Radiology Residency: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX

Fellowship in Abdominal Imaging: Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA

Fellowship in Abdominal Imaging and Interventional Radiology: Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. 

Certifications:

2009: Board Certified in Radiology

2010: Board Certified in Cardiovascular Computed Tomography

2013: CAQ Eligible in Interventional Radiology

The incredible generosity of the Nantucket community and the vision of longtime island resident Roy Flanders have converged to bring about an historic accomplishment for Nantucket Cottage Hospital, as its NCH Fund eclipsed $1.2 million at the close of the 2013 fiscal year. 

The NCH Fund provides the annual financial support that is crucial for advancing the hospital's mission, improving the health and wellbeing of the Nantucket community, and is vital to its general operations. To read more, click here.  

Dr. Lepore has co-authored numerous published research papers including the recent examples below. Lepore's research interests include thrombophlebitis and tick borne diseases. He has published multiple articles in these two areas in collaboration with researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health, Tufts University School of Medicine and Yale School of Public Health.  

• Quantitative PCR for Detection of Babesia microti in Ixodes scapularis Ticks and in Human Blood, published November 2013, Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases Vol. 13 No. 11

• Babesia microti PCR transfusion assay, published January 2013, American Association of Blood Banks

• Successful non-operative management of spontaneous splenic rupture in a patient with babesiosis, published January 2011, World Journal of Emergency Surgery

Our recent community forum, "Our New Hospital: What You Need To Know," was attended by more than 90 island residents and has generated positive feedback and a public dialogue about the hospital's campaign for a new building. Dr. Margot Hartmann addressed numerous questions during the forum, and was joined by chief operating officer Jim Kelly, chief nursing officer Bonnie Kester, chief financial officer David Burke, Dr. Tim Lepore, nurse practitioner Joanne Bushong, and pharmacy manager Dave Small at the event. Nantucket Community Television was on hand to film the forum, and has been airing it on channel 18 over the past week.  

Click here to watch the video by Nantucket Community Television.