Career Pulse

Ermellini, Robert, Willis Join Growing Team at O’Connell Care at Home

HOLYOKE — O’Connell Care at Home, with offices in Holyoke and South Deerfield, announced the appointment of several new administrative employees to ensure quality of care as the company expands.

“The need for home healthcare is growing across the Pioneer Valley,” said Fran O’Connell, founder and president of O’Connell Care at Home. “We have responded to the need by opening our second location this year, in South Deerfield, and finding qualified and dedicated staff with the experience and desire to continue our mission of providing the best quality at home care.”

Shannon Ermellini has been appointed schedule director. She will oversee day-to-day functions and manage the needs of scheduling home-care professionals. O’Connell Care at Home credits much of its success to the efforts made to find compatible matches of home-healthcare staff with those they care for, and for creating a company culture of flexible schedules with reliable employees. Ermellini will focus on continuing those practices that have accelerated company growth and a reputation for quality home care. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Central Connecticut State University.

Bonnie Robert, who has more than three decades of experience as a clinical manager within the healthcare industry, joins O’Connell Care at Home as a private-care director. She oversees private-care cases and quality assurance on behalf of the agency, managing in-home assessments and intake duties. A graduate of Springfield Technical Community College with an associate degree in respiratory therapy, Robert maintains membership in the Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts, the Home Care Assoc. of America, Geriatric Care Managers of New England, and the Western Mass. Elder Care Professionals Assoc. Her extensive experience has been recognized by the Baystate Medical Circle of Excellence, an award she earned for service provided to Apria Healthcare in 2011.

Joseph Willis oversees all functions of the human resources department as the director of compliance and education. He is charged with administering policies and procedures to adhere to state and federal laws as well as guidelines set forth by applicable governing bodies. Additionally, he establishes and maintains educational curriculum and training initiatives for all employees. Certified by the HR Certification Institute, Willis owns a master’s degree in human resource development from Villanova University and a bachelor’s degree from Westfield State University.

“Shannon, Bonnie, and Joe share our commitment to advancing the quality of care within our community,” said Danielle Lord, vice president of Operations at O’Connell Care at Home. “With new leadership appointed to both external and internal operations, we are confident in our abilities to not only meet, but exceed the community’s expectations.”

Learn more about O’Connell Care at Home’s services and employment opportunities at opns.com.

PBHH Taps Russo-Appel as Chief Medical Officer

HOLYOKE — Dr. Maria Russo-Appel has been appointed to the position of chief medical officer of Providence Behavioral Health Hospital (PBHH). In this role, she is responsible for the medical leadership at PBHH, including the coordination of all patient care and safety, quality assessment, risk management, patient satisfaction, and improvement in healthcare programs. She also serves as a liaison between the medical staff and administration at PBHH.

Russo-Appel’s appointment at PBHH marks her return to the Sisters of Providence Health System, where she served as medical director for Medical Psychiatry at Mercy Medical Center from 2003 to 2007. Most recently, she served as chief medical officer for CleanSlate Addiction Treatment Centers in Northampton.

Board-certified in adult psychiatry, Russo-Appel has a special interest in women’s issues in psychiatry, as well as co-morbid medical and psychiatric illnesses. She is a graduate of Mount Sinai School of Medicine of New York University. She completed her residency at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, where she also completed her fellowship in Administrative Psychiatry.

“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Russo-Appel back to the Sisters of Providence Health System,” said Dr. Scott Wolf, senior vice president of Medical Affairs, chief medical officer, and chief operating officer of Mercy Medical Center. “She is an outstanding physician with extensive clinical experience in both inpatient and outpatient behavioral health services. She also demonstrates enthusiasm and warmth in her interactions with patients and staff, and these qualities will serve her well in this important leadership role at Providence Behavioral Health Hospital.”

Added Russo-Appel, “it is truly an honor to be named the chief medical officer at Providence Behavioral Health Hospital, which has amassed a team of profoundly talented staff prepared to enact the newest models for excellence in mental-health care. Together, our overall goal is to create a continuum of healthcare which enhances ease of access for both physical and emotional care.”

Campbell, Trietsch Join HNE Board of Directors

SPRINGFIELD — Carol Campbell and Dr. Howard Trietsch have been named to the Health New England board of directors.

Campbell is president of Chicopee Industrial Contractors Inc., a company she founded in 1992. She is a board member of Associated Industries of Massachusetts, the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce, Westmass Area Development Corp., and the Women’s Fund of Western Mass.

She has a distinguished record of community service and leadership, and was recognized as the 2014 Woman of the Year by the Professional Women’s Chamber. She has been recognized among the top 100 women-led businesses in Massachusetts, as Business of the Year by the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce, as a Super 60 Business Growth recipient, and as a Paul Harris Rotary International honoree. Campbell holds several industry licenses and certifications and is a graduate of UMass.

Trietsch is a full-time attending physician at Baystate Ob/Gyn Group Inc., where he has served as managing partner since 1990. He recently completed his term on the Baystate Health board of trustees. He also serves on the BHIC board and the Baycare board of directors. He is a member of many medical societies and serves on community boards including the Springfield Jewish Community Center, Jewish Geriatric Services, and the Jewish Federation of Western Mass.

“Ms. Campbell and Dr. Trietsch are both accomplished professionals and exemplary stewards of our community,” said Maura McCaffrey, Health New England president and CEO. “HNE’s mission is to improve the health status and overall quality of health of our regions. We are pleased to welcome them to our board and look forward to their contributions to help us fulfill our mission.”

Tedeschi Takes Reins at Ruth’s House

LONGMEADOW — Joelle Tedeschi, LPN, has been named executive director of Ruth’s House, an assisted-living facility of Jewish Geriatric Services (JGS).

Tedeschi brings more than 25 years of diverse experience in elder care to this position. She will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the assisted-living community located in Longmeadow. She will also continue to oversee business development at the Leavitt Family Jewish Home, the position she’s held since coming to JGS in July.

Before joining the nursing home, Tedeschi served as the regional director of sales for Golden Living in Canton, Mass., where she was responsible for the sustainable growth of 18 hospice and direct-living centers. Prior to this, she was the regional director of Sales for Kindred Healthcare in Louisville, Ky. She holds a bachelor’s degree in sales and marketing from Massachusetts Bay College in Wellesley.

“Joelle clearly brings us a wealth of business-development experience in senior living,” said Martin Baicker, president and CEO of JGS. “In addition, she is also a licensed practical nurse, and we feel confident that, under her leadership, Ruth’s House will continue to flourish.”

HMC Names Waite Corporate Director of HR

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Medical Center welcomes Barry Waite as corporate director of Human Resources.

Waite, a native of Holyoke, served five years as corporate director of Human Resources for the Loomis Communities in South Hadley and seven years as regional director of Human Resources with HealthBridge Management in Concord. Previously, he served as director of Public Affairs and Strategic Communications for Baystate Health in Springfield, and as director of Communications and Marketing for Qualidigm in Middletown, Conn.

“This is an exciting time for Holyoke Medical Center, as we bring a new vision and strategic plan into action. The people who work here every day, providing the excellent care that our community hospital is recognized for, are the reason I’m here,” said Waite. “In HR, we have a real impact on how that care is provided, whether the focus is on the morale of the workplace, employee benefits, or creating a healthier workplace environment for our employees — creating an environment where they can thrive and serve our patients to the best of their ability.”

Waite attended Boston College and earned his master’s degree in health communications at Emerson College/Tufts University School of Medicine. He lived in Boston for 14 years and was delighted to return to his native Western Mass. in 2000 so his wife could pursue a doctorate in nutrition at UMass Amherst. Among Waite’s plans for HMC are to introduce a new employee-wellness program including an initiative for achieving a healthy work-life balance.

“From an HR perspective, it’s rewarding being part of the team that will bring Holyoke Medical Center into the future, with a focus on patient-centered healthcare delivery,” Waite said. “I am working with people who have dedicated their lives to what this hospital has to offer. Taking the wealth of knowledge and experience that they have and being part of bringing it to the next level is exciting.”