State Rep. Dave DeCoste honors O'Briens for 50 years of scoliosis screening in Hanover
July 19, 2026 | Hanover Public Schools, School Boards, Massachusetts
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State Rep. Dave DeCoste recognized National Scoliosis Week and honored Kathy and Joe O'Brien for 50 years of scoliosis screening work in Hanover, praising their contributions to the town’s school screening program.
DeCoste, who introduced himself at the start of the remarks as "state representative Dave DeCoste," said the Hanover Public Schools' screening efforts "would not be where they were" without the O'Briens' long-standing work and presented a citation signed by the governor, the lieutenant governor and Secretary Galvin to mark the anniversary.
Joe O'Brien, speaking about the foundation he said he helped start, said the organization began in 1976 and that its mission is "to improve the lives of kids by having them screened early enough so that we can do something nonoperative." He asserted, "We know right now by level 1 evidence that we can prevent surgeries in 25 percent of the cases," and cited an approximate surgery cost of $150,000 as an example of potential savings.
O'Brien added a personal dimension: he said he has had surgeries for his scoliosis and that 16 family members are affected. He thanked DeCoste for helping secure recognition from state officials. DeCoste said, "This is one of the nicest things about being in the legislature. We get to recognize great people doing great work."
The remarks were celebratory and ceremonial: DeCoste presented the citation and thanked the O'Briens and the school screening staff. No formal vote or policy action was recorded in the transcript, and the foundation's formal legal name and the name of the citation were not specified in the remarks.
Details clarified or specified in the remarks: the foundation's start year (1976), the claim that early school screening can reduce surgeries by 25 percent (described as supported by "level 1 evidence" by O'Brien), and an approximate per-surgery cost cited as $150,000. The transcript does not specify the foundation's official name, the precise scope of screenings (grades covered), or any follow-up actions by the legislature or school district.
DeCoste, who introduced himself at the start of the remarks as "state representative Dave DeCoste," said the Hanover Public Schools' screening efforts "would not be where they were" without the O'Briens' long-standing work and presented a citation signed by the governor, the lieutenant governor and Secretary Galvin to mark the anniversary.
Joe O'Brien, speaking about the foundation he said he helped start, said the organization began in 1976 and that its mission is "to improve the lives of kids by having them screened early enough so that we can do something nonoperative." He asserted, "We know right now by level 1 evidence that we can prevent surgeries in 25 percent of the cases," and cited an approximate surgery cost of $150,000 as an example of potential savings.
O'Brien added a personal dimension: he said he has had surgeries for his scoliosis and that 16 family members are affected. He thanked DeCoste for helping secure recognition from state officials. DeCoste said, "This is one of the nicest things about being in the legislature. We get to recognize great people doing great work."
The remarks were celebratory and ceremonial: DeCoste presented the citation and thanked the O'Briens and the school screening staff. No formal vote or policy action was recorded in the transcript, and the foundation's formal legal name and the name of the citation were not specified in the remarks.
Details clarified or specified in the remarks: the foundation's start year (1976), the claim that early school screening can reduce surgeries by 25 percent (described as supported by "level 1 evidence" by O'Brien), and an approximate per-surgery cost cited as $150,000. The transcript does not specify the foundation's official name, the precise scope of screenings (grades covered), or any follow-up actions by the legislature or school district.
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