Fall River Holy Trinity students designing, producing items for Truesdale Health, other businesses

Fall River, MA – A new partnership is helping both Fall River students and a Fall River medical clinic.

For 110 years, Truesdale Health has provided medical and support services to the Fall River community. Today, those services include laboratory, pharmacy, physical rehabilitation, cardiovascular testing, radiology imaging, and optical services—all in one convenient location. Home to more than 100 highly qualified physicians and healthcare providers, Truesdale truly cares about the community. This new collaborative project is a perfect example of that.

Holy Trinity Elementary School has developed a STEAM Program—Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math—for its students. With state-of-the-art technology and design software at the forefront of its core education, the school has all the tools necessary for their future engineers to work on real-world projects. The goal of the program’s cutting-edge curriculum is to cultivate creative thinkers, while teaching students how to properly promote their important contributions.

“After researching the history, layout and inner workings of Truesdale Health,” says Kevin Flynn, Holy Trinity’s Director of Development and champion of its STEAM Program, “our students have designed an illuminated sign which best represents Truesdale. During the process, our kids have been able to think through, design, and produce the finished product.” The illuminated acrylic piece will be clear, with a white vinyl background—representing the importance of doctors, donned in their white coats, being transparent with their patients.

Flynn’s students have already designed and produced promotional items for local companies such as IZ Schwartz, and WJAR 10 TV. Truesdale is their latest partner.

The illuminated signs will appear in Truesdale’s two lobbies for all to see, with placards to capture Holy Trinity’s contribution. In addition, 15-20 doctors’ reception areas will showcase miniature versions of the sign. This will all be provided at no cost to Truesdale. “Funding comes from our generous Angel investors, as well as sponsorships from local businesses and parents,” said Flynn. “These investors help to fund the equipment and materials we need. Overall, our program works because we have a great leadership team, as well as the continued support of Principal Brenda Ganon. She never says no…just, ‘Go fund it!’”

As a graduate of Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School, Flynn, who has been teaching at Holy Trinity since 2020, suggested implementing the engineering program. His belief is that hands-on learning is a dynamic learning strategy, and he has successfully demonstrated this at Holy Trinity.

After several years of purchasing the necessary equipment, Flynn is proud to report, “Having a 3D printer and cutter, resin printing, and CAD, in house—as well as the same software used by Tesla and SpaceX—we can deliver what local businesses need to better promote their organizations. We don’t need to send anything out anymore. We can do it right here.”

“In the process, we’re teaching engineering skills, as well as competencies such as reading instructions, assembly, and working as a team,” explains Kevin, “all the basics needed to go into the engineering field. Grades six, seven, and eight all participate on rotation, and everyone gets a chance to work on the ‘Intro to Manufacture Engineering’ initiative.”

With a passion for teaching practical skills, as well as good customer service, Flynn believes, “If you give students encouragement early on, you have a better chance they won’t quit down the road.”

Holy Trinity’s connection with Truesdale Health was made by Dr. Daniel Sousa, whose daughter attends the school and participates in the program. “I’ve had three children attend Holy Trinity Elementary School, where they all received an excellent education,” says Dr. Sousa. “Holy Trinity is so committed to education, that there’s now a waiting list for new students to get in.”

“Kevin reached out to me to collaborate,” adds Dr. Sousa, the recipient of the 2022 Southcoast Health President’s Award. “As the Truesdale Health board focuses on community, it seemed like the perfect fit. I thought it made good sense to promote both organizations; Truesdale Health can use the signs to better promote our organization, while Holy Trinity students will receive the well-deserved credit for their impressive achievement.”

Holy Trinity’s STEAM Program targets students who are college bound, as well as others interested in pursuing the trades—like those taught at Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School. “The student engineers are achieving what many high schools cannot,” concludes Dr. Sousa. “They’re way ahead of the curve in education. And it’s exciting to see girls inspired to consider careers once dominated by men.”

Dr. Marvin D. Berman, Chairman of the Board & President of Truesdale Health, says, “The mission at Truesdale Health is to help support the Fall River community. In fact, we formed the Truesdale Health Foundation to promote good community health—from sponsoring bicycle helmets to youth soccer.”

Educational health is also a priority. “With this wonderful collaboration, we recognize the opportunity for students to grow and we’re very excited about that.”

Unfortunately, the healthcare system lost a lot of resources during Covid. “Engineering can make the jobs of hard-working nurses and doctors easier,” explains Flynn. “I hope that some of our student engineers won’t stop at creating signs but be inspired to bridge the gap between the medical and engineering fields—creating critical products onsite by using 3D printers. This could be as simple as an attachment to an IV pole.”

The Holy Trinity students recently presented their finished product to the Board of Directors at Truesdale Health. “We will deliver two master signs that will light up their welcome areas,” says Flynn. “Students have worked on the Truesdale project as a thank you for its 110 years of service to our community—especially during the pandemic. It’s a well-deserved recognition for their commitment and care of our community.”