Career pulse

SPRINGFIELD — Dr. Richard Friedberg, chair of the Department of Pathology at Baystate Medical Center, was sworn in as president-elect of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) during its annual meeting in Orlando on Oct. 12.

He will immediately begin serving as president-elect and will become CAP president in the fall of 2015.

 “The pathologist plays a fundamental role in delivering a patient diagnosis and determining treatment. To lead CAP as we advance the specialty for the benefit of patients is an incredible opportunity for me personally and professionally,” Friedberg said.

A member of the CAP board of governors over the past six years, Friedberg has received the CAP’s Lansky Award, which recognizes a practicing pathologist exemplifying distinguished service and high standards of excellence in the laboratory in the best interests of patients.

“Dr. Friedberg brings a depth and breadth to the advocacy issues facing pathologists today that will help us demonstrate the pathologist’s integral role on the patient care team as the nation moves toward value-based medicine,” said CAP President Dr. Gene Herbek. “With his extensive involvement in CAP, Dr. Friedberg brings an understanding of our mission that is critical to the success of the organization as it serves patients, pathologists, and the public.”

Friedberg earned his bachelor’s degree from Stanford University, his master’s degree in Health Care Management from Harvard University, and his MD and PhD from Duke University. He completed his internship, residency, and fellowship at the University of Virginia and is board-certified in clinical pathology, blood banking, and transfusion medicine.

“In a time of rapid change in healthcare, along with advancements in medicine and technology, we need to ensure that patients, employers, payers, government, and academics recognize pathology as a ‘must have’ for the quality of care we all deserve and need. The pathologist’s future lies in diagnostic medicine, where physician scientists use all available technologies to deliver the correct diagnosis and supporting information to patients, caregivers, and institutions. We need to better communicate our role as healthcare providers and embrace this future,” said Friedberg, who noted his role in CAP offers Baystate an opportunity to connect with providers and facilities around the country to share best practices in the delivery of care.

As the leading organization for board-certified pathologists, CAP serves patients, pathologists, and the public by fostering and advocating excellence in the practice of pathology and laboratory medicine worldwide.

WARE — Baystate Mary Lane Hospital welcomes Dr. Navatha Hanumagutti to its medical staff at Baystate Medical Practices -– Quabbin Adult Medicine.

Hanumagutti earned her medical degree at Osmania Medical College in Hyderabad, India and completed her residency in internal medicine at St. Barnabas Hospital, Bronx, New York.

 “Dr. Hanumagutti is a wonderful addition to our adult primary-care practice,” said Dr. Mohammed Ahmed, chief operating officer of Baystate Mary Lane Hospital and chief medical officer of the Baystate Health Eastern Region. “Her arrival will help us meet the demand for primary care in our region, and we welcome her.  She joins our team of providers who are working diligently with our patients to help them maintain good health.”

Dr.Hanumagutti is currently accepting new patients; her office is located at BMP Quabbin Adult Medicine, 95 Sargent St. in Belchertown. To make an appointment, call (413) 323-7212.

GREENFIELD – Dr. Timothy (TJ) Lepore, an obstetrician/gynecologist, has joined the staff of Baystate Medical Practices – Pioneer Women’s Health, as the practice’s third ob/gyn.

A graduate of Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, with a bachelor’s degree in history, Lepore received his medical degree from the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, Ireland. He completed his residency at Baystate Medical Center in August.

Following his graduation from Bates, he worked as a research technician at Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, where he organized, planned, and implemented lab- and field-based research on mosquitoes, in relation to West Nile Virus and malaria.  “While living on Nantucket, I helped with studies on ticks, so this venture into mosquito study was a natural for me,” he said.

During his years in medical school, Lepore admits that he wasn’t sure which medical specialty he would choose. “While I was in medical school, I kept waiting for something to click. It wasn’t until my final rotation, in obstetrics and gynecology, that the light went on, and I knew I had found my field.”

Lepore spent time at BFMC during his residency and fell in love with the area. “I like having a feel for the community and the people, and I feel truly comfortable in this setting, both at Pioneer Women’s Health and in Greenfield,” he said.

Baystate Medical Practices – Pioneer Women’s Health is located in Baystate Franklin Medical Center’s Medical Office Building, 48 Sanderson St., Greenfield, ansd can be reached at (413) 773-2200.

SPRINGFIELD — Dr. Lauren Meade, associate program director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Baystate Medical Center, has been selected as one of five Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation Faculty Scholars who will help to drive future innovation and reform in health-professions education.

“Dr. Meade impressed our selection committee with her energy, insights, and record of leadership locally and nationally. She has all the characteristics we are looking for in a future leader and educational innovator,” said foundation President Dr. George Thibault.

Selected from a pool of more than 70 applicants from across the country, each scholar from the 2013-14 class will pursue a mentored educational innovation project at their home institution, as well as engage in activities to enhance their career as an educator. Projects range from educating health professions students about oral health and medication prescribing to teaching students about health disparities and professionalism.

Meade’s project will identify behaviors from patients, nurses, and physicians for a safe and effective discharge from the hospital, and develop a competency-based program where physician trainees advance as they master competencies in the process of discharge, including interprofessional collaboration, patient communication, and engagement within and outside the hospital system.

“I became extraordinarily interested in the complex process of transitioning a patient from the hospital to post-acute care when we developed an innovative medical education program called Tracer,” Meade said. “For the Tracer program, physicians in training meet a patient on the hospital unit and follow them home or to another facility. They assess the patient’s experience and the effectiveness of the process of transfer firsthand.

“This is a very important transition moment in the patient experience, involving a very complex team structure as the patient moves to his or her next care setting. And to be really successful, our residents must understand its complexities and learn a special skill set surrounding a patient’s discharge.”

Established in 2010, the Macy Scholars Program seeks to develop the next generation of national leaders in medical and nursing education by recognizing and nurturing mid-career medical and nursing faculty who have shown great promise as committed educators. It is the only program in the U.S. to accelerate reforms in health-professions education needed to accommodate the dramatic changes occurring in medical practice and healthcare delivery.

Scholars receive salary support at $100,000 per year over two years, providing them with protected time to implement their proposals for educational reform. In addition, scholars will be provided with career-development opportunities through mentoring and access to a national support network.

The first faculty scholar to be selected from Baystate Medical Center, Meade — who is also an assistant professor at Tufts University School of Medicine — will be mentored over the next two years by Dr. Michael LaCombe, professor of Medicine and Medical Humanities, University of New England, and associate editor of Annals of Internal Medicine.

LONGMEADOW — Darlene Francis has been named Executive Vice President of Wernick Adult Day Health Care Center, located on the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Campus of  Jewish Geriatric Services (JGS), a leading healthcare system serving seniors and their families for more than 100 years. Francis is responsible for directing, supervising, and coordinating daily activities for participants at Wernick.

“We realize that balancing day-to-day responsibilities while caring for an older family member can be a challenge,” said Francis, “and I’m looking forward to working with my skilled team to safely and effectively manage this comprehensive program of care.”

Most recently, Francis was the practice manager of the JGS Family Medical Practice, which closed in June. “Darlene did an outstanding job managing the practice,” said Martin Baicker, president and CEO of JGS. “We know she will bring the same level of excellence to Wernick and our great team of skilled professionals.”

Previously, she managed one of the internal-medicine divisions for Connecticut MultiSpecialty Group in Wethersfield, and served as office manager for Springfield Medical Associates and Western Mass. GI Associates, P.C.

Francis earned an associate’s degree in medical assisting from Springfield Technical Community College and holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from American International College, where she earned the Martha Wilson Memorial Award.

She serves on the advisory board of Springfield Technical Community College Secretarial Sciences Department, and is a member of the Honor Society.

SPRINGFIELD — Health New England has appointed Jody Gross vice president of sales. In that role, he will lead Health New England in developing and executing its sales and retention strategy for its commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid lines of business. In addition, he is Health New England’s key contact for government regulators from the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services.

Since 2004, Gross has served Health New England in various positions in finance and healthcare reform. First as finance manager and then as director of finance, he provided strategic guidance for new products while ensuring profitability and marketability. From tracking cost-savings initiatives to creating and monitoring an extensive annual medical budget, he gained a perspective on all functional areas within Health New England.

Later, as director of business development, he used his analysis skills and instincts to lead the design, implementation, and evaluation of products, benefits, new business lines, and value-added programs. Prior to his promotion to VP of Sales, Gross served as director of government programs. In that role, he oversaw the implementation and operations of HNE’s fledgling Medicare and Medicaid lines of business, now entering their fifth and third years of service, respectively.

Gross holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Bryant College and obtained his MBA from the University of Connecticut. He has participated in the Tuck Executive Education Program at Dartmouth College in leadership and strategy and has obtained his Lominger certification in interviewing and professional development. He also holds Health Insurance Producers licenses in both Massachusetts and Connecticut. Prior to joining Health New England, he worked for United Health Group and Oxford Health Plans.