Career Pulse

HOLYOKE — When he recently joined Hampden County Cardiovascular Associates, Dr. Nirav Sheth said his practice changed radically — for the better.

“I’m seeing more patients now than I did before, and I like that aspect of the practice,” he said. “I love the technological aspect of cardiology, too, and I’m well-trained in it, but I like seeing people and helping them even more.”

Sheth joined Drs. James Arcoleo, John Zimmerman, and Diane Turcot at the practice, which opened in 2006. He received his degrees in Medicine and Surgery with honors from the University of Bombay, India, where he ranked fourth overall in his final exams at the university. He is board-certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease, echocardiology, and nuclear cardiology.

“I think cardiology is a growing field, and it is so fast paced that there is always something new to learn,” Sheth said. “There are major discoveries that can help the general population, and I love to be part of that. I’m always excited by being able to help people.”

Sheth’s overall philosophy of cardiology looks to a time when the field focuses more on prevention than treatment.

“I think if we can do a better job at preventative cardiology, we will have to solve fewer chronic problems later,” he said. “In the meantime, we still have plenty of problems to solve, but a lot of advancements have made treatments much better.”

For now, Sheth is excited about his future at Holyoke Medical Center. “There is a definite need our cardiology practice here, and we want to bring up the overall health of the community,” he said. “That’s what matters.”

Kueny Accepts Post of CDH Midwifery Medical Director

NORTHAMPTON — Dr. Tucker Kueny has accepted the position of medical director of Cooley Dickinson’s new midwifery practice.

Kueny will begin at CDH in June, but will be involved immediately in the plans to further develop the midwifery program. He joins CD Practice Associates, Cooley Dickinson’s affiliated physician group, and will provide physician coverage to the midwifery practice in conjunction with WomanCare/Northampton Obstetrics & Gynecology, an affiliated Cooley Dickinson medical practice.

Kueny comes to CDH from Pioneer Women’s Health, a Franklin County-based collaborative ob/gyn practice that focuses on midwifery care. There, Kueny was the practice medical director, working with a team of four midwives and three physicians, office staff, and other providers.

“I am very excited to be joining Cooley Dickinson,” Kueny said. “I strongly believe in midwifery care, and my experience over the last eight years has prepared me to lead this program, which I see as vital to the community.”

Kueny earned his medical degree from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. He is a fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

While hiring Kueny is one step in the process of opening the new midwifery practice, CDH continues to recruit certified nurse midwives. Once the team is in place, interior construction of the medical practice will be completed. The practice, expected to open in June, will employ two full-time midwives, two part-time midwives, and an assistant.

CDH continues to accept applications for certified nurse midwives. For consideration, apply online at www.cooley-dickinson.org or call recruiter Josh Maybar at (413) 582-2720.

Kuzdeba Achieves Certified Diabetes Educator Status

GREENFIELD — Judy Kuzdeba, a diabetes/ostomy nurse educator at Baystate Franklin Medical Center, has successfully completed renewal of her certified diabetes educator status with the national Certification Board for Diabetes Educators.

A 1984 graduate of Elms College with a bachelor’s degree in Nursing, Kuzdeba also graduated from the Legal Nurse Consultant program at Elms in 2002. She has been on the Baystate Franklin Medical Center staff for 14 years and has been the hospital’s diabetes and ostomy nurse educator for the past eight years. Prior to that, Kuzdeba worked as a nurse supervisor and in discharge planning.

To be eligible for certification, candidates must meet rigorous requirements, successfully completing a continuing-education renewal-option process.

“What this certification does,” Kudzeba explained, “is assure people with diabetes that I have the specialized knowledge that enables me to provide my clients with the highest quality of care possible.”

Ward Joins Berkshire Wellness at Work Team

PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Health Systems has announced the appointment of Jennifer Ward, a registered dietitian and nutritionist, as well as a certified lactation counselor, to its Wellness at Work team.

Wellness at Work provides Berkshire Health Systems employees with access to wellness initiatives, including programs in health risk analyses, education, nutrition, exercise, and stress reduction, among others. The program also works with area businesses on worksite wellness programs for their employees.

Ward, who is also a master instructor for Mad Dogg Athletics and Spinning, has more than 11 years of experience as a dietitian and 20 years in the fitness arena. Prior to joining Wellness at Work, she served as the senior nutritionist and breastfeeding coordinator for the Berkshire North Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program.

At WIC, she was instrumental in piloting the ‘Touching Hearts, Touching Minds’ project, which featured client-lead appointments and used emotion-based educational materials to elicit better results. Ward also doubled the number of Berkshire North WIC breastfeeding peer counselors and was successful in sending several staff members to certified lactation counselor training.

Ward was previously employed by Health Fitness Corporation and worked as an assistant program director at the GE Plastics Fitness Center in Pittsfield for six years, where she developed a successful walking and weight-loss program. She has also certified instructors and provided continuing education sessions for the spinning program for the past 10 years.

“I always found the work that I did with the employees at GE the most rewarding,” Ward said, “and I am thrilled to once again be involved in employee wellness as part of the Wellness at Work team.”