Monica Benevides

UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester announced on Thursday it is launching the Translational Institute for Molecular Therapeutics, a center which will focus on gene therapy clinical trials for rare genetic diseases.

Statewide, more than one third of respondents reported needing behavioral health care either for themselves or a family member during the pandemic’s first year.

Dubbed the Bison Den, the facility is located at the Dudley Hill Golf Club and will eventually open to the general public. The bar had a soft opening on Tuesday.

The Gov. Charlie Baker Administration will begin distributing $500 payments to 500,000 low-income workers in March as part of a $4 billion spending plan for American Rescue Plan Act funds, Baker’s office announced Tuesday.

Family Health Center of Worcester has named Dr. Robert Zavoski as its chief clinical officer, the community health center said Tuesday. Zavoski took over the newly created role Feb. 1. He’ll be responsible for overseeing the center’s clinical programs. 

The Hospital for Behavioral Medicine in Worcester has named Randall Hines as its new CEO.

Schaal came to the U.S. to take an ophthalmology fellowship at the University of Louisville, after receiving both her medical and doctoral degrees in Israel and serving as a physician in the Israeli navy.

The United Way of Central Massachusetts has been awarded $4.5 million, to be dispersed over two years, through the federally funded Afterschool and Out-of-School Time Rebound grant, the nonprofit announced Thursday night.

Rocco’s Doughnut Co. will open a Worcester location on Wednesday, owner Joseph Astrella confirmed Thursday afternoon, marking the shop’s third location.

UMass alumni Dan and Diane Casey Riccio have pledged $15 million to UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester to support ALS and neuroscience research, the school announced Thursday.