Telegraph photo by MATHEW PLAMONDON During the Grand Opening of Fountains of Health, the practices owner and nurse practitioner Josephine Jacques cuts the ceremonial ribbon, surrounded by, from left, her daughter Deenah Jacques, Chamber of Commerce Director of Membership Patrick O'Mara, her Husband Hervey Jacques, her sister Nadege Belhomme, Mayor Jim Donchess, Terry Freeman, and her daughter Tasheen Jacques.

NASHUA – During their Wednesday grand opening ceremony, officials at Fountains of Health welcomed representatives of the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Jim Donchess and others.

The practice, located in Suite E at 7 Taggart Dr., is run by nurse practitioner Josephine Jacques. Her main focus is to prevent diseases and other health care problems before they start. She said her vision is to provide primary care and holistic care, which involves not just physiological and physical health, but also emotional, spiritual and mental health. She believes the body is affected by each and every one of these health care factors.

Jacques places an emphasis on helping patients achieve a well-balanced diet, promoting exercising and adequate sleep, as well as advocating for establishing a good support system of family members or friends to maintain health.

If diseases strike, Jacques can help with management of chronic diseases.

Jacques, a native of Haiti who has lived in the U.S. since she was 18, brings 25 years of experience in the health care system to the community. Throughout her career she has worked in acute and long-term settings, including Saints Medical Center in Lowell, Massachusetts, Fresenius Medical Care and Team Health.

As a certified Medical Assisted Treatment provider, Jacques has set a goal of helping to alleviate the opioid crisis in Greater Nashua.

“I really have a heart for the opioid abuse patients,” Jacques said addressing those in attendance at the grand opening, “so I really would like to make a difference in this particular area with the opioid crisis, so that’s a goal.”

During the grand opening, Jacques and her family shared their goal of ending the opioid crisis with the mayor who upon welcoming the practice to the city expressed his appreciation for the center’s help.

“I’d like to welcome Josephine to Nashua. It’s very helpful to have someone as dedicated as Josephine to help us with the opioid crisis,” Donchess said. “We need people who are willing and able to work with people who have substance use disorder and who want to seek recovery, Josephine and her practice are really a big addition to what we can offer in New Hampshire.”

Mathew Plamondon may be reached at 594-1244, or at mplamondon@nashuatelegraph.com.