Career Pulse
Hirko Named Baystate’s Vascular Surgery Chief
SPRINGFIELD — Dr. Mark K. Hirko has joined the Department of Surgery at Baystate Medical Center, where he is serving as chief of Vascular Surgery and medical director of Baystate Vascular Services.
Before arriving at Baystate, Hirko served as chief of Vascular Surgery, director of the Peripheral Vascular Laboratory, and program director of the General Surgery Residency Training Program at Northside Medical Center – Forum Health/Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine (NEOUCOM), and most recently was chief, Division of Vascular Surgery, and medical director of the Non-Invasive Vascular Center at the Western Pennsylvania Hospital – West Penn Allegheny Health System.
Hirko earned his medical degree at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, and completed his residency in general surgery at Akron City Hospital – NEOUCOM. He went on to complete a research fellowship and clinical fellowship in vascular surgery at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago.
Board-certified in general and vascular surgery, Hirko is an active researcher, is well-published in various journals, and has contributed chapters to several medical textbooks.
He has also received additional training in endovascular surgical techniques, including both abdominal aortic and thoracic aneurysm repair, and angioplasty/stenting procedures of the peripheral and carotid arterial systems.
Located at 3500 Main St. in Springfield, Baystate Vascular Services treats diseases that involve circulation, and works closely with referring physicians in a multidisciplinary environment, providing consultation and treatment options on all aspects of vascular disease.
Baystate Taps Shin for Plastic Surgery Chief
SPRINGFIELD — Dr. Joseph Shin has joined the Department of Surgery at Baystate Medical Center, where he is serving as chief of the Department of Plastic Surgery.
Before arriving at Baystate, Shin spent the past 10 years at Yale University School of Medicine, where he served on the faculty as an associate professor of Surgery and director of the Yale Craniofacial Center.
Shin earned his medical degree at the University of Alabama School of Medicine and completed his general surgery residency and molecular biology research fellowship at Yale University School of Medicine. He also completed a residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery at Yale, as well as a fellowship in craniofacial surgery at Miami Children’s Hospital in Florida.
Board-certified in general and plastic surgery, Shin’s new duties at Baystate also include overseeing the hospital’s Wound Care Program.
The surgeons who make up the staff of Baystate Plastic Surgery with Shin are board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons and serve on the faculty of Baystate Medical Center, the western campus of Tufts University School of Medicine.
Among the many services offered at Baystate Plastic Surgery are breast augmentation, breast reduction, breast lifts, facelifts, eyelid surgery, liposuction, thigh and arm lifts, nose reshaping, tummy tucks, botox, and collagen.
Breen Earns Certification in Oncology Nursing
NORTHAMPTON — Madelyn A. Breen, a registered nurse in Cooley Dickinson Hospital’s Cancer Care Program, has successfully passed the oncology nurse certification exam. Meeting these requirements set by the Board of the Oncology Nursing Certification Corp. entitles Breen to expand her credentials to include OCN, or oncology certified nurse.
According to the Oncology Nursing Certification Corp., the certification is a validation of Breen’s knowledge in oncology nursing.
Breen splits her time at Cooley Dickinson, serving as the patient navigator in the Cancer Care Program and also working in the Radiation Therapy Department. As the patient navigator, Breen serves as a resource and an advocate for patients, providing emotional support, coordinating care, and offering referrals to surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, social workers, and community resources. She has worked at the hospital for more than 30 years.
Breen is one of only two oncology-certified nurses affiliated with the hospital. Shane Beede, RN, of Hampshire Hematology Oncology, has held the OCN designation since 1997.
Hartnell Certified in Cardiovascular CT
NORTHAMPTON — Dr. George Gordon Hartnell, an interventional radiologist and a member of Cooley Dickinson Hospital’s medical staff, has successfully completed the cardiovascular computed tomography certification examination.
Hartnell is one of the first physicians in North America to earn certification in cardiovascular computer tomography, and the first at CDH
Hartnell specializes in the treatment of vascular diseases, including peripheral artery disease, as well as minimally invasive treatment of liver and kidney cancers.
Hartnell, a cardiovascular specialist with more than 25 years experience in vascular and interventional radiology, is board-certified in diagnostic radiology and holds a certificate of additional qualification in vascular and interventional radiology. He is also a fellow of the Society of Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology and of the American College of Cardiology.
Hartnell earned his medical degree from the University of Bristol Medical School in the United Kingdom. He completed internships, residencies, and fellowships in the United Kingdom. He comes to Cooley Dickinson from Baystate Medical Center, where he was the director of Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology in the Department of Radiology and professor of Radiology at Tufts University School of Medicine.
HMC Names O’Neil Accounting Manager
HOLYOKE — Christopher O’Neil has been named accounting manager at Holyoke Medical Center.
O’Neil had been a 10-year employee for Baystate Health and most recently served as supervisor of Health System Fin-ancial Reporting/ Accounting.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Western New England College and a master’s degree in Accounting from Western New England College.