Hopkinton residents Jessica Clancy and Courtney McFarland were named two of seven recipients of the 2023 Women to Watch Award by the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants.

The awards recognize women who have made outstanding contributions to the accounting profession, their communities and their firms/companies and to the development of women as leaders.

“MassCPAs is thrilled to acknowledge the achievements of this remarkable group of women, and we’re excited to honor Jessica and Courtney for their outstanding contributions to their firms, community and the accounting profession,” said Amy Pitter, MassCPAs president and CEO.

Jessica Clancy

Clancy, managing director at tonneson + co, and McFarland, a partner in AAFCPAs’ Healthcare Practice, are being honored in the Experienced Leader category, reserved for women with more than 15 years of experience in accounting.

With more than 21 years of experience, Clancy specializes in high-net-worth individual and family office tax planning and consulting, serving clients in industries that include financial services and distribution.

Beyond her pivotal role at the firm, she finds fulfillment in mentoring new staff and participating in training initiatives. Her passion for sharing knowledge and supporting colleagues contributes to a collaborative and growth-oriented work environment. Clancy thrives on providing guidance and solutions to meet clients’ tax needs, while cultivating meaningful bonds with both clients and coworkers. In her free time, she dedicates herself to volunteering for Project Just Because in Hopkinton, demonstrating her commitment to making a positive impact in her community.

“Jessica consistently exceeds the expectations of her role in the tax department and makes substantial contributions to various facets of the firm’s culture and expansion,” said Amy Phelan, CPA, tax shareholder at tonneson + co. “Her influence resonates profoundly with her character and determination, and she authentically prioritizes people’s well-being, both within the firm and in her community. Coupled with her aptitude for business growth, Jessica stands as an ideal nominee for this award.”

Courtney McFarland

Demonstrating an expansive background in advising the nation’s health care safety net landscape, McFarland brings a comprehensive array of solutions aimed at resolving the intricate challenges confronted by AAFCPAs’ health care clients. These encompass an assortment of facets, ranging from audits in accordance with uniform guidance/single audit and government auditing standards, to adeptly navigating the nuances of the 340B pharmacy program requisites. Additionally, she provides insights to help maximize reimbursements, best practices for reconciliation and analysis of statistical and programmatic data, tracking and monitoring risk-based contracts, maximizing reimbursements and guidance on health care reform.

Additionally, McFarland trains professional staff on topics related to assurance, financial management and regulatory compliance for health care organizations. She is a regular guest speaker for the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, the Mass Council of Human Services Providers and the Healthcare Financial Management Association.

“From her earliest days with AAFCPAs, Courtney has always exuded the spirit of an emerging leader,” said Carla McCall, AAFCPAs’ managing partner. “Her unwavering passion for serving vulnerable populations has been nothing short of inspirational. With each challenge, she’s risen, carving her own unique path with determination and grace. It’s a privilege to witness her evolution into the experienced leader she is today, earning not just respect but the genuine affection of those around her. She truly embodies the essence of a go-getter, turning every hurdle into a stepping stone.”

Award winners will be honored Oct. 26 at the MassCPAs Women’s Leadership Summit at the Westin Hotel in Waltham.

Marathon Quilters receive grants

The Marathon Quilters Guild announced recently that it received a grant of $2,500 from the Mass Cultural Council as well as $500 from the Hopkinton Cultural Council, a local agency that is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency, as part of the Local Cultural Council Program.

These grants signify that Marathon Quilters Guild provides significant public value through its programs and services. Since 1996, the guild has stayed true to its mission to educate, inspire and participate in community quilting projects for charities. Recent charitable donations from the guild have gone to Project Linus, Dignity Matters and The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. This grant helped support the guild’s 11th quilt show, “Sewing Mends Our Souls,” at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts on Sept. 16-17.

MRMC earns multiple honors

Milford Regional Medical Center continues to be recognized by a number of highly distinguished health care organizations that laud the hospital’s excellence in a number of areas.

Over the summer, Milford Regional was bestowed with three notable honors, including a 5-star ranking from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This ranking is the highest given by CMS and is awarded to only 16% of the 3,076 qualifying hospitals.

For the first time, Milford Regional was included among only 153 other hospitals nationally on Becker’s Hospital Review 2023 Great Community Hospitals list.

Milford Regional once again received an ‘A’ grade for outstanding social responsibility on the 2023/24 Lown Institute Hospitals Index, ranking number one in Massachusetts and 42nd nationally for patient safety. This index is the only ranking to include metrics of health equity and value of care alongside patient outcomes.

“These acknowledgments speak volumes about Milford Regional’s ability to put its patients first. Our care team’s ability to consistently deliver personalized, high-quality care further underscores our continued commitment to serving our community,” said Milford Regional Medical Center President and CEO Edward J. Kelly.