Nantucket Cottage Hospital honored the recipients of the annual Partners in Excellence awards, which recognize superlative performance throughout the Partners HealthCare system, during a ceremony this week in the dining area of the new hospital.

Nantucket Cottage Hospital would like to advise the island community about the rising number of measles cases in the U.S. this year, as well as the facts about the safe and effective vaccine for this highly contagious viral disease.

In 2019, the CDC has already reported 626 individual cases of measles that have been confirmed in 20 states. This is the second-greatest number of cases reported in the U.S. since measles was eliminated in 2000. Most cases have occurred in unvaccinated individuals.

If you see this guy around town, give him a high-five, a pat on the back, or maybe just a simple “Thank you.”

Dr. George Butterworth, the longest serving physician on Nantucket Cottage Hospital’s medical staff, will retire on May 31st, 2019 after more than 40 years of general practice and obstetrical care on the island.

“I would like to express my gratitude to all of my patients, current and past, with a particular thank you to all of you who have allowed me to participate in the birth of your children,” Dr. Butterworth said. “It has been an honor and a privilege.”