Career Pulse

SPRINGFIELD — Chuck Gijanto has resigned as president of Regional Markets for Baystate Health. In this role, he serves as CEO of Baystate Franklin Medical Center and Baystate Mary Lane Hospital and is responsible for the Baystate Medical Practices in the Northern and Eastern regions. His last day will be June 27.

Giganto joined Baystate Health in 2008 and has done much over the last six years to engage physicians, senior leaders, employees, community members, and donors in important discussions to set strategic direction for the system’s community hospitals. He has strengthened operations; led patient satisfaction, service, and financial-improvement initiatives; overseen the medical staff development plan; fueled new programs; and recruited critical physicians and healthcare leaders to the organization.

He has been instrumental in developing partnerships and teams that have produced outstanding results which have led to awards for clinical quality and patient satisfaction, as well as strengthening ties with the political and business leaders of Franklin County and Southeastern Hampshire County.

Giganto serves on the state level as secretary and member of the board of trustees for the Mass. Hospital Assoc., and nationally as a member of the American College of Health Care Executives. Locally, he has been an active member of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce and served as president of the Kiwanis Club of Greenfield.

Recently, he has spearheaded an initiative to develop new operating rooms for Baystate Franklin Medical Center. The system is committed to moving forward with plans to seek board of trustees approval to file a determination of need this month for this $25 million investment in care for the community.

“While I am disappointed that Chuck is leaving, I understand his interest in taking some time away to reflect and plan the next chapter of his life and career,” said Mark Keroack, executive vice president and COO of Baystate Health. “I thank Chuck for his partnership, his energy, his dedication, and his leadership. We look forward to celebrating his many accomplishments over the next few months.”

WARE — Becker’s Hospital Review recently released its list of the top 100 chief medical officers of hospitals and health systems. That list of notable physician leaders in the nation includes Dr. Mohammed Shafeeq Ahmed, COO and CMO of Baystate Mary Lane Hospital and Baystate Health Eastern Region.

Physician leaders were selected for inclusion on this list based on their healthcare experience, awards they’ve received, and their commitment to continuous improvement in safety and quality care. Many of the leaders were nominated by their peers, and the list was vetted by industry experts.

Ahmed joined Baystate Mary Lane Hospital in 2003 as a practicing physician, medical director of Baystate Medical Practices – Mary Lane Ob/Gyn, and chief of obstetrics and gynecology. He has also served as vice president of the medical staff and regional medical director for the Baystate Affiliated Physician Organization.

In 2010, he began serving as chief medical officer. In 2012, he also assumed the role of chief operating officer for Baystate Mary Lane Hospital and Baystate Health Eastern Region.

Ahmed completed his undergraduate and medical-school studies at Boston University and his residency in obstetrics and gynecology through Tufts University School of Medicine at Baystate Medical Center.

In conjunction with the senior leadership team, he has extended his commitment to communities served by Baystate Mary Lane Hospital by expanding the team of providers, building new programs, and redefining services to ensure the highest standards of safety and quality care.

SOUTH HADLEY — Laurette Patten has joined Hampshire County Internal Medicine as its newest nurse practitioner, offering primary care and expert advice. She joins internal-medicine clinicians Dr. Patrick Boyce and nurse practitioner Jenna Jolly at the practice.

Patten’s interests include women’s health, chronic illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension, and preventive medicine. She earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Vermont and a master’s degree in family health from UMass Lowell, as well as a nursing certificate in geropsychiatric and mental-health nursing.

Patten said her goal is “to provide care to adults with a mix of diagnosing and treating health conditions. I educate patients on disease prevention and healthy lifestyle choices and how they impact the whole person, family, and community.” Prior to joining Hampshire County Internal Medicine, she worked on the staff of Amherst Medical Associates.

Patten is accepting new patients at the practice, located at 84 Willimansett St., near the Big Y supermarket. Same-day appointments are available. For more information or to schedule an appointment with Patten, call (413) 534-1665.

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Medical Center has welcomed Dr. John Nicasio to HMC Endocrinology, located at Suite 402 on the fourth floor of the medical center.

Nicasio obtained undergraduate degrees in both biochemistry and medical laboratory science before receiving his doctor of osteopathic medicine degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. From there, he completed an internal-medicine residency and endocrinology fellowship at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Nicasio is board-certified in internal medicine and endocrinology. He is fluent in both English and Spanish and is currently accepting new patients. Appointments can be made by calling (413) 534-2820.