Generosity Builds Momentum for Medical Assisting at GHS

A GHS Medical Assisting student takes a classmate’s vitals during the GHS Health Fair in April 2026.

Gloucester High School’s new Medical Assisting program is heading into its second year with extraordinary momentum, thanks to a transformative new commitment from GPS alumnus Jeff Silveira and his partner Beth Logan.

The Cape Ann couple recently pledged $100,000 over two years to help support the program’s start-up staffing costs. Their generosity unlocked an additional $100,000 match from the JMR Barker Foundation, GEF’s longest-running foundation partner. Together with Barker’s original $150,000 grant, GEF has now secured $350,000 to help launch, grow, and sustain this exciting new vocational pathway while Gloucester Public Schools prepares to absorb its staffing costs into the district budget.

The program’s first year demonstrated just how strong the demand is. Its inaugural cohort launched with 25 students, far exceeding the 15 originally anticipated. More than 100 freshmen also participated in Gloucester High’s new CVTE Exploratory, rotating through Medical Assisting and the school’s four other vocational programs before choosing a track.

Students are learning from instructor Grace Ferrara, whose years of experience as a medical assistant bring invaluable real-world knowledge to the classroom. Their fully-equipped classroom and clinical lab was created from an outdated former culinary and technology space, with GHS Carpentry and Electrical students helping to complete the transformation. A $106,000 grant from the Ware Foundation, secured by GEF, provided many of the instructional materials, curricular resources, and supplies needed to bring the space to life.

As a graduate of Gloucester Public Schools, Jeff recognizes firsthand the lasting value of strong opportunities for local students. He and Beth also understand the power of this funding model: philanthropy can help launch an exceptional idea, demonstrate its value, attract additional investment, and give the district time to sustain it over the long term. They hope their gift, and the matching funds it inspired, will encourage others to support GEF and help create even more opportunities for Gloucester students.