Career Pulse Aug 15

HOLYOKE — River Valley Counseling Center (RVCC), a member of Valley Health Systems and affiliate to Holyoke Medical Center, announced the appointment of Rosemarie Ansel as executive director.

Ansel’s executive leadership includes demonstrable experience in leading administrative, fiscal, and clinical functions in the community outpatient setting.

“Rosemarie is a skilled senior executive who brings a proven track record in clinical, educational, and medical programming to this important role. Her strong working relationships at the state and national levels will help RVCC enhance the delivery of quality mental-health services to the communities we serve,” said Spiros Hatiras, president and CEO of Valley Health Systems and Holyoke Medical Center.

Added Ansel, “I am honored to join the River Valley Counseling Center, which is dedicated to providing a wide range of compassionate, community-centered care to individuals and families in our region. Under the Holyoke Medical Center umbrella, we have a strong and pervasive sense of community. This carries over into our team of clinicians and staff, who are second to none when it comes to providing mission-critical services on a 24/7 basis.”

Ansel will lead RVCC, a multi-service agency serving Hampden County for 62 years. Its community-focused outpatient mental-health services include psychiatric day treatment programs, school-based services in Chicopee, teen clinics and school-based health centers in Holyoke, individual and group-based therapy offered in Spanish as well as English, HIV/AIDS support for both men and women, intensive case management, and recreational therapy for 8- to 16-year-old children at risk of hospitalization or residential placement, as well as employer-assistance services through site training, assessment, counseling, and referrals. The center provided 144,000 treatment services across all programs in 2013.

In her most recent role as deputy director of Community Services and director of Operations at the Columbia County Department of Human Services and Mental Health Center in Hudson, N.Y., Ansel oversaw the administrative, fiscal, and clinical components of a community outpatient mental-health clinic. Her leadership resulted in a 23{06cf2b9696b159f874511d23dbc893eb1ac83014175ed30550cfff22781411e5} increase in direct client contacts by the end of the first fiscal year, a 46{06cf2b9696b159f874511d23dbc893eb1ac83014175ed30550cfff22781411e5} increase in clinic-based revenue in 16 months, an increase in the client average daily census by 600 individuals in four years, as well as a 61{06cf2b9696b159f874511d23dbc893eb1ac83014175ed30550cfff22781411e5} increase in co-payments. Prior to her success in this role, Ansel served as deputy for Administration at Berkshire Farm Center and Services for Youth in Canaan, N.Y. and executive vice president at Hillcrest Educational Centers in Pittsfield.

NORTHAMPTON — Physician Dr. Jeffrey Zesiger welcomed Leslie Kelly to Cooley Dickinson Medical Group Palliative Care.

Kelly, a certified nurse practitioner whose diverse clinical background includes palliative care, primary care, geriatrics, pediatrics and women’s health, most recently worked at Mercy Hospital and Trauma Center in Janesville, Wis., as an inpatient palliative care consultant.

Kelly earned her post-master’s certificate in palliative care from George Washington University, her master’s degree nursing from Yale University, and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Norwich University. She is a certified family nurse practitioner and an advanced certified hospice and palliative nurse.

For more information or to make appointment, call (413) 582-2441.

WARE — Dr. William Lohrer, an orthopedic surgeon, has joined Baystate Mary Lane Hospital and will see patients at two Baystate locations in Ware and Belchertown.

“Dr. Lohrer has a rich past providing care in the many communities we serve, having been a member of the medical staff at Baystate Wing Hospital since 1999,” said Dr. Mohammed Ahmed, chief operating officer and chief medical officer of the Baystate Health Eastern Region, which includes Baystate Wing Hospital and Baystate Mary Lane Hospital. “Dr. Lohrer possesses a wealth of experience, a high level of enthusiasm, and an unwavering commitment to providing excellent orthopedic care to the patients he cares for.”

Lohrer earned his medical degree from the University of Rochester in Rochester, N.Y. He completed his residency in general surgery at UMass Medical Center in Worcester, his orthopedic-surgery residency at the University of Rochester Medical Center, and a fellowship in sports medicine at Cleveland Clinic Foundation. He is board-certified in orthopedic surgery with a subspecialty certification in orthopedic sports medicine.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Baystate Medical Practice – Mary Lane Orthopedics at (413) 967-2577. Most insurance plans are welcome.

PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Health Systems announced the appointment of Jason Bratcher, a board-certified and fellowship-trained gastroenterologist, to the medical staff of Berkshire Medical Center and the physician staff of Gastroenterology Professional Services of BMC, where he is partnered with Dr. Jeffrey St. John, Dr. Rangan Murali, and Richard Woller, PA.

Bratcher specializes in the use of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), an advanced, minimally invasive technology that allows for the examination of deeper tissue layers of the upper and lower gastrointestinal (GI) tracts. EUS allows for the evaluation of tissue and organs that are not visible with traditional endoscopy, such as the liver, biliary tree, and pancreas.

During the EUS procedure, fine needle aspiration can be performed to assist in the diagnosis and staging of various GI malignancies, including esophageal, stomach, and pancreatic cancers. He also is trained in ERCP, a technique that allows for treatment of hepatobiliary disorders that can cause blockage of the biliary tree, liver, and pancreas. EUS and ERCP are often used in conjunction for complicated GI disorders.

Bratcher most recently worked in a private gastroenterology practice in New York with Dr. Jerome Siegel, a pioneer in the development of ERCP. He was affiliated with the Center for Digestive Health at Mount Sinai/Beth Israel Medical Center in New York, and also served as a voluntary physician with Englewood Hospital and Hackensack University Medical Center, both in New Jersey.

He is board-certified in gastroenterology and internal medicine, and fellowship-trained in gastroenterology at Lenox Hill Hospital, New York City, and in advanced therapeutic endoscopy at Beth Israel Medical Center/St. Vincent’s Hospital. Originally from New Mexico, he received his medical degree from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and completed his residency and served as chief resident in internal medicine at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York.

Bratcher is accepting new patients in need of comprehensive gastroenterology care. For an appointment, ask a primary-care physician for a referral, or call Gastroenterology Professional Services of BMC at (413) 499-8590.

SPRINGFIELD — Doreen Fadus, executive director of Community Benefit and Health at Mercy Medical Center, has been tapped to serve as president of the Board for National Health Care for the Homeless Council, a network of more than 10,000 doctors, nurses, social workers, patients, and advocates who work to eliminate homelessness by ensuring comprehensive health care and secure housing for all.

In this role, Fadus serves as the council’s lead representative on the national stage for advocacy issues such as the Accountable Care Act, Medicaid reimbursements, and housing and health collaboration.

“Doreen personifies our mission to serve as a transforming, healing presence. She is a tremendous advocate for the local homeless community and her selection to this national position will allow her dedication and talent to benefit a greater number of individuals,” said Yvonne Boudreau, senior vice president of Mission Services for the Sisters of Providence Health System.

As Mercy’s executive director of Community Benefit and Health, Fadus oversees the hospital’s Community Health programs, including Health Care for the Homeless, which works in partnership with the city of Springfield, and Open Pantry to provide primary care services at 23 homeless shelters, soup kitchens, job placement sites and transitional programs. These services are delivered to more than 2,200 people each year in Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties. She also oversees Mercy’s Vietnamese Health Project, Faith Community Nursing, High End Utilizer Program, and Community Benefit. Fadus began her career at Mercy Medical Center as Director of Health Care for the Homeless in 2001, and she has an extensive background in community service.

She currently serves as co-chair of the Western Mass. Network to End Homelessness, as an advisory board member of the Hampden County Continuum of Care Board, the Catholic Charities Diocesan Board, and the Western Mass. Task Force on Homelessness, and as a member of the Regional Employment Board. The founder and past president of Dress for Success Western Massachusetts, Fadus also serves on the board of Friends of the Homeless.

“The National Health Care for the Homeless Council works with government agencies and private institutions to foster collaboration on the varied and complex problems associated with homelessness,” said Fadus. “These remarkable individuals have dedicated their lives to this important cause and it is an honor to serve as their leader.”

ADAMS — Berkshire Health Systems announced the appointment of Dr. Kalpesh Patel, an obstetrician and gynecologist, to the medical staff of Berkshire Medical Center and the physician staff of Berkshire OB/GYN of BMC. Patel is accepting new patients in need of OB/GYN care, and is practicing both out of the North Berkshire office and Pittsfield office of Berkshire OB/GYN of BMC. He is providing comprehensive maternal child health services in the Northern Berkshire community. Patel is partially practicing in the Adams office of Berkshire OB/GYN of BMC with Drs. Charles O’Neill and Susan Yates. The overall practice also includes Drs. Andrew Beckwith, Herbert Kantor, Daniel Barraez-Masroua, Robert Benner, Joan Lister, Cassandra Service, Michael Shreefter, and Lauren Slater, as well as certified nurse midwives Lydia Kelly, Maribeth Pomerantz, Evelyn Resh, and Robin Rivinus. Berkshire OB/GYN of BMC has three offices, in Adams, Pittsfield, and Lenox. Patel received his medical degree from Baroda Medical College in Baroda, Gujarat, India and completed his residency in OB/GYN at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Medical Center has appointed Amy Pierno as the program director of the hospital’s new Wound Care Center, which will open in August.

Pierno brings extensive experience in acute and outpatient wound care and treatment. She will be establishing operational processes for Wound Care Center staff as well as lead the center’s outreach, including educating hospital staff and local physicians as to accessing wound care services that will be available to patients five days a week.

“Amy Pierno is a welcome addition to HMC. She possesses an impressive skill set and track record in establishing and operating Wound Care Centers in the community setting,” said Spiros Hatiras, president and CEO of Holyoke Medical Center and Valley Health Systems Inc. “HMC’s Wound Care Center is a strategic priority for us as we look to be the Pioneer Valley’s healthcare provider of choice.”

“As our population ages, and an increasing number of patients are diagnosed with chronic diseases, we must stay ahead of the curve in the way we deliver care,” said Pierno.  “I am excited to be working with a highly qualified team of healthcare professionals skilled in the most advanced therapies and treatment which lead to faster healing from the inside out.”

HMC’s Wound Care Center will be located at 18 Hospital Dr. in Holyoke, and staffed with a physician, hyperbaric technician, wound care nurse and nurse manager, with Pierno serving as program director. The center’s offerings include two hyperbaric oxygen chambers that will treat patients with serious wounds, including diabetic foot ulcers, damaging radiation treatment and bone infections.

Licensed to practice physical therapy in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and a certified wound specialist by the American Board Wound Management (ABWM), Pierno is a recipient of Accelecare Wound Center’s 2014 MVP Award, where she was one of six directors recognized nationwide for leadership, quality, accountability, teamwork and excellence. She also serves as Director on the ABWM Board of Directors, is an ABWM CWCA Exam Committee Leader as well as an American Physical Therapy Association Certified Clinical Instructor.

Pierno was most recently the program director at the Accelecare Wound Centers and Baystate Franklin Wound and HBO Center in Greenfield. Prior to that, she served as a clinical specialist for CWS-Wound Care at Stamford Hospital in Stamford, Conn. She earned her bachelor’s degree in sports medicine from Merrimack College and a master’s degree in physical therapy from Sacred Heart University.