WORCESTER, Mass., January 12, 2007 — Fallon Clinic, the first multi-specialty group practice in central Massachusetts, has received the Above and Beyond Award from the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). The award recognizes those employers that exceed the requirements of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) in their employment practices concerning members of America’s National Guard and Reserve forces.

Randi Nichols, Fallon Clinic’s chief human resources officer, accepted the award on the group practice’s behalf. “The Above and Beyond Award is a great honor for Fallon Clinic,” Nichols said. “We are well aware of the sacrifices that the military makes to protect our communities and country, and we are committed to achieving ways to honor the work they do through work policies that respect their military commitments.”

A primary reason behind Fallon Clinic’s receipt of the award is its policy of providing pay differentials to Reservists and Guard members who are performing their two-week annual training or are going on involuntary active duty.

In addition, Fallon Clinic recently became the first healthcare organization in Massachusetts to participate in the Partnership for Youth Success Program (PaYS), a strategic partnership program that offers 18- to 22-year-old Army veterans a fresh employment start in their communities. Under terms of the agreement between Fallon Clinic and the U.S. Army, interested enlistees will receive training for healthcare positions while serving in the Army.

“Strong support of our troops from America’s employers is an essential component of a strong national defense,” said Ken Forchielli, the award’s presenter and chairman of the Massachusetts Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). “Organizations such as Fallon Clinic are true role models in their communities, and we are pleased to acknowledge their contributions with this award.”

About the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR)
ESGR was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve component members and their civilian employers and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee’s military commitment. Today, ESGR operates through a network of more than 4,000 volunteers throughout 55 Committees located in each state, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Europe.

About Fallon Clinic
Fallon Clinic is one of the largest privately held and physician-run multi-specialty group practices in Massachusetts. By supplementing its reputation as a national leader in clinical quality with a desire to offer patients unmatched service and access, Fallon Clinic is well on its way to achieving its goal of delivering the gold standard of healthcare. Fallon Clinic physicians and healthcare professionals offer the region’s most comprehensive array of primary care and specialty services, supported with cutting-edge technologies and service-oriented processes. Founded in 1929 by a team of physicians from Mayo Clinic led by Dr. John Fallon, Fallon Clinic continues to grow and thrive. Today, Fallon Clinic has over 1,700 employees and more than 240 physicians who see more than a million patient visits a year at 20 locations. Fallon Clinic admits to all major hospitals in central Massachusetts and the surrounding area and accepts a broad range of insurance coverage, including plans from all major Massachusetts payors. To learn more, visit www.fallonclinic.com, or call 1-800-AT-FALLON.