Career Pulse – August 2016

Baystate Health Eastern Region Welcomes Campbell
PALMER — Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Robert Campbell has joined Baystate Health’s Eastern Region medical staff and will provide care at Baystate Wing Hospital.
“Dr. Campbell possesses a wealth of experience, a high level of enthusiasm, and an unwavering commitment to providing excellent orthopedic care to our patients,” said Dr. David Maguire, chief medical officer for the Eastern Region.
Campbell received his medical degree with honors from Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston. He completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Brown University-Rhode Island Hospital. In addition, he completed fellowships in spine surgery and orthopedic trauma, also at Brown University. He earned board certification from the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery and is dual fellowship-trained in spine care and orthopedic trauma. Most recently, he provided care at Cooley Dickenson Hospital in Northampton.
Campbell also served four years as an active-duty orthopedic surgeon in the U.S. Army and completed a tour in Afghanistan. During his service, he twice received the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, the NATO Non-Article 5 Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Ribbon, and the Army Service Ribbon. While stationed in Afghanistan with the U.S. Army, he organized and implemented a project to collect and deliver much-needed footwear to Afghani local nationals on and around Bagram Airfield. Through his efforts, thousands of pairs of shoes were delivered to needy Afghanis.
Campbell’s medical interests include adult spinal surgery, trauma and fracture care, and general orthopaedics. He joins Dr. Richard Kane and physician assistant Karl Haywood in the Department of Orthopedics at Baystate Wing Hospital, and Dr. Joseph Lellman, who provides orthopedic care at Baystate Mary Lane Hospital in Ware. For more information about orthopedic services in Baystate Health’s Eastern Region, call Baystate Wing Orthopedics at (413) 370-5356 or BMP – Mary Lane Orthopedics at (413) 967-2577.

Chaffee Elected President of Home Care Alliance Board
BOSTON — Holly Chaffee, president and CEO of Porchlight VNA/Home Care in Lee and Chicopee, was recently elevated to president of the Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts board of directors. She will help lead the nonprofit trade organization that represents more than 200 home-care and home-health agencies across the state.
“Holly’s extensive experience as a nurse and leader of a high-quality home health agency will be an asset to the board and our member agencies,” said Home Care Alliance Executive Director Patricia Kelleher. “Just as Porchlight has gained recognition as a model home-health agency, we know that Holly will help do the same for us as an organization.”
A registered nurse with more than 30 years of experience in healthcare, Chaffee has distinguished herself as an innovator in enhancing the quality of patient care industry-wide. This includes her advocacy and work to set strong clinical standards to address the home-care industry’s challenges of lower reimbursements and a lack of state-based oversight. Porchlight is also one of the few agencies in the state that has achieved a five-star quality and patient-satisfaction rating from Medicare.
“After serving as a member and vice president on the Alliance board, I have seen home care grow as a solution for keeping healthcare costs down and keeping people independent, where they prefer to be,” said Chaffee. “Even with the many challenges we face, I am excited for the future of in-home care.”

Gandhi Named COO of Baystate Medical Center
SPRINGFIELD — Tejas Gandhi, the former chief administrative officer at Navicent Health in Macon, Ga. — where he led the organization through an era of positive change and restructuring, contributing greatly to ITS financial recovery — has been named chief operating officer at Baystate Medical Center. His appointment became effective June 13.
Gandhi fills a position left vacant by Nancy Shendell-Falik, who for two years served in the dual position of chief operating officer of Baystate Health and senior vice president and chief Nursing officer for Baystate Medical Center, prior to being named president of Baystate Medical Center and senior vice president of Hospital Operations for Baystate Health in October 2015.
“Dr. Gandhi is a true change agent, whose culture-building skills and talents in the area of continuous process improvements will be an asset in leading Baystate Medical Center and supporting Baystate 2020, our health system’s strategic plan,” said Shendell-Falik. “His adherence to core values and accountability in all actions, as well as his advocacy of transparency, especially in his own interactions, will make him a key member of the Baystate Health family,”
Gandhi, with 15 years of professional experience in healthcare administration, comes to his new position from a hospital similar to Baystate Medical Center — a 637-bed teaching hospital affiliated with Mercer University School of Medicine, a level I trauma center, and a three-time Magnet-designated hospital for nursing excellence nationwide.
Prior to joining Navicent Health in 2013, Gandhi was employed by Virtua Health in Marlton, N.J., the largest comprehensive healthcare system in Southern New Jersey, where he helped change the overall culture to one of continuous process improvement, resulting in cost savings and key improvements for the organization. During his 10 years there, Gandhi oversaw the process-driven planning process for a new, $618 million replacement hospital and regional ambulatory center; and led successful initiatives to improve clinical safety and quality outcomes, as well as patient satisfaction and employee engagement.
Gandhi attended the University of Bombay, India, where he received his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. He later received a master’s degree in industrial engineering from the State University of New York at Binghamton and a doctorate in health administration and leadership from Medical University of South Carolina.

Springfield College’s Guyer Earns Two Awards
SPRINGFIELD — Springfield College Exercise Science and Sport Studies Chair M. Susan Guyer was awarded both the Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award and the Gail Weldon Award of Excellence during the National Athletic Trainers’ Assoc. (NATA) annual conference in Baltimore last month.
The Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer award recognizes NATA members who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to leadership, volunteer service, advocacy, and distinguished professional activities as an athletic trainer. Currently, Guyer serves as the NATA District 1 secretary and the vice president for governance for the NATA Research and Education Foundation. She also has held positions of public relations chair and president of the Athletic Training Assoc. of Massachusetts.
“Dr. Sue Guyer is truly a gifted and talented teacher, mentor, leader, and serves as an amazing role model to women who would like to enter the profession of athletic training,” said Tracey Matthews, dean of the Springfield College School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation. “Her passion and deep commitment for her discipline is unprecedented.”
The Gail Weldon Award of Excellence recognizes one athletic trainer each year who has displayed an exceptional commitment to mentoring, professional development, and a balanced life for female athletic trainers or offered significant contributions to improve the healthcare of women.
“We are very lucky to have such an amazing role model, faculty, and leader in athletic training at Springfield College,” Matthews added. “She continues to elevate the profession everyday. I can’t think of another person who is so deserving of these awards from the NATA.”
Since arriving at Springfield College in 2001, Guyer has taught courses in prevention of athletic injuries, research methods and education, athletic-injury rehabilitation and therapeutic exercise, and human anatomy. She has been invited to speak internationally on the prevention of athletic injuries and concussions in China and at the European Society of Athletic Training and Therapy Conference in Jerzmanowice, Poland.
In addition, Guyer has also presented at the Eastern Athletic Trainers’ Assoc. and the National Athletic Trainers’ Assoc. annual meetings and the NATA Educators’ Conference on issues relating to teaching and learning. She is also a manuscript reviewer for the Athletic Therapy Today Journal and the Journal of Athletic Training.

Helms Joins General Surgical Care Practice
NORTHAMPTON — Dr. Holly Michaelson and nurse practitioner Casey Fowler announced that Dr. Michelle Helms will join Cooley Dickinson Medical Group General Surgical Care on Monday, June 6. Helms comes to the practice, located at 22 Atwood Dr. in Northampton, from Halifax Surgical Associates in South Boston, Va.
Helms earned her medical degree from Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School. She completed a general-surgery internship at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, N.J., and a general-surgery residency at Morristown Medical Center in Morristown, N.J.
Helms’ particular surgical interests include benign and malignant breast conditions, thyroid and parathyroid disease, skin cancers, gallbladder disease, colon and rectal conditions, emergency surgical maladies, hernias, wounds, and laparoscopic surgery in general.
“I enjoy creating a reassuring and comfortable experience for my patients that is founded on mutual trust and respect,” Helms said. “I want to exceed expectations with each interaction, and my goal is to achieve the very best outcomes. I very much look forward to serving new patients, providing excellent care, and integrating into a wonderful community.”
To make an appointment with Helms, call General Surgical Care at (413) 584-4637.

Spectrum Names Presz Executive Director
LONGMEADOW — JGS Lifecare has named Madeline Presz executive director of Spectrum Home Health & Hospice Care. She is responsible for overseeing the daily operation of the home health and hospice program, including supervision of the team, financial performance, and delivery of quality care, as well as providing direct care.
Presz brings 22 years of clinical experience in healthcare to this position. She is a registered nurse, certified in hospice and palliative care, gerontological nursing; and IV therapy, central line and TPN therapy. Before joining Spectrum, Presz served as executive director of the Loving Care Agency in Springfield. In this role, she was responsible for the clinical and operational programming for two pediatric and three adult home-care offices and teams.
Prior to that, she served as regional director of Clinical Operations for Life Choice Hospice in Auburn. She was also a clinical director and administrator at Solamor Hospice in Auburn and was a clinical director of Allegiance Hospice in Shrewsbury. Presz has also served as director of Nursing at Wingate in East Longmeadow, and she started her career as assistant director of Nursing at Chestnut Hill Rehab & Nursing in East Longmeadow.
Presz has a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Elms College, graduating summa cum laude, and an associate’s degree in nursing from Springfield Technical Community College. She is also a member of the Sigma Theta Tau national honor society for nurses.

Raftopoulos Presents Research at European Obesity Summit
HOLYOKE — Holyoke Medical Center’s Dr. Yannis Raftopoulos, a board-certified bariatric surgeon and weight-management specialist, presented new research on the first procedureless gastric balloon at this year’s European Obesity Summit in Gothenberg, Sweden last month. Raftopoulos’ research shows the new product to be safe, with similar weight-loss results as other balloon procedures that use endoscopy.
Traditional gastric balloons for weight loss require endoscopy for placement and removal. However, a new type of balloon called Elipse, manufactured by Allurion Technologies in Wellesley, is the first procedureless gastric balloon. The balloon is swallowed, resides in the stomach for four months, and is then excreted. Raftopoulos conducted a European clinical trial in Greece. Allurion Technologies intends to conduct a randomized, controlled clinical trial in the U.S. in the future.
“The weight loss observed was similar to that seen in prior studies of endoscopically placed balloons,” Raftopoulos said. “There were no serious adverse events. In addition, Elipse therapy led to a significant improvement in waist circumference, Hemoglobin A1c levels, and overall quality of life.”
Added Spiros Hatiras, president and CEO of Holyoke Medical Center and Valley Health Systems, “Holyoke Medical Center is proud to provide the Pioneer Valley with an innovative and experienced international physician such as Dr. Raftopoulos. This new technique for which he has experience offering may prove to revolutionize the field when it becomes available.
Raftopoulos is medical director of the Holyoke Medical Center Weight Management Program, located at 10 Hospital Dr., Suite 103, Holyoke. To schedule an appointment, call (413) 535-4757.

Baystate Health Eastern Region Welcomes Reheis
PALMER — Dr. J. Paul Reheis, a board-certified urologist, has joined Baystate Health’s Eastern Region, offering comprehensive urology services as part of the Baystate Regional Urology Division, led by Dr. Richard Alexander.
“Improving access to specialty care continues to be one of our top priorities,” said Dr. David Maguire, chief medical officer for the Eastern Region, which includes Baystate Mary Lane and Baystate Wing Hospitals. “We are delighted to have Dr. Reheis join our team.”
Reheis completed his post-graduate education at Hahnemann Medical College in Philadelphia and received his medical degree from Albert Einstein Medical College, also in Philadelphia. He is a member of the American Assoc. of Clinical Urologists. Most recently, he provided care at Harrington Hospital in Southbridge.
Reheis’ practice will provide comprehensive urology services, including management of both female and male conditions and a wide range of treatment options, including outpatient laser prostate procedures, in-office vasectomies, and lithotripsy treatment for kidney stones. All these services will be provided at Baystate Wing Hospital in Palmer.
Reheis is currently accepting new patients. For more information or an appointment, call Palmer Medical Center at (413) 284-5400. For information about urology care available at Baystate Mary Lane Hospital in Ware, call Pioneer Valley Urology at (413) 241-2100.

Richards Earns Minority Scholarship Award
SPRINGFIELD — Springfield College doctor of physical therapy (DPT) graduate Camille Richards was recently awarded the American Physical Therapy Assoc. (APTA) Minority Scholarship Award at the annual APTA conference hosted in Nashville, Tenn.
The APTA scholarship award is given each year to students enrolled in the DPT portion of their academic degree. The scholarship acknowledges and rewards demonstrated participation in minority affairs activities and services, the potential for superior achievements in the profession of physical therapy, appropriate display of professionalism as a future physical therapist, and academic excellence.
“Camille is a hard-working, intelligent young lady who is well-liked by her peers and professors,” said Kathleen Pappas, assistant professor of Human Anatomy and Richards’ academic advisor. “Camille is the type of student who ponders her coursework, applies it to her clinical work, and then comes to the faculty to fully synthesize the information. She is truly a critical thinker, applying her knowledge and experiences to new situations.”
Richards most recently gained experience as a student physical therapist at the Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, N.J., where she completed a 10-week internship assisting with the patient population in acute care, including orthopedic, cardiac/respiratory, trauma, neurological, and medically complex patients.
“As an active member in the APTA for many years, I foresee Camille as the person who will assist in leading more minority students to our programs, making sure other minority members are involved, and being a voice for the underserved,” added Pappas.
Prior to her time at Jersey Shore, Richards served as a student physical therapist at both Weldon Rehabilitation Hospital in Springfield and at Albany Medical Center in Albany, N.Y. From February 2015 through December 2015, she assisted as a sensory-integration technician at Northampton Vision Specialist, conducting individual patient-treatment sessions in light therapy.
At Springfield College, Richards spent time as a graduate assistant for SC’s School of Health Science and Rehabilitation Studies and volunteered as an academic tutor and computer lab assistant. She also assisted international students on a weekly basis, engaging in conversation about topics of their choice, helping ease the transition to college life in the U.S. She also worked as a rehab technician volunteer for Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Whiting Joins Team at Aesthetic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
LONGMEADOW — Aesthetic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, P.C. announced the appointment of Alex Whiting, who joined the practice as a medical aesthetician.
“We are pleased to welcome Alex to the practice,” said board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Glen Brooks. “She specializes in medical spa services including microdermabrasion, chemical peels, facials, and skin-care evaluations.”
Whiting received her certification in micro needling from Brio Academy in 2011 and has been practicing for nearly five years. Prior to joining Brooks’ team, she was employed by Allcroft Facial Plastic Surgery and Vallon Medi Spa. She is a graduate of Northampton High School.

Cooper Tabbed to Serve on Opioid Panel
SPRINGFIELD — Springfield College President Mary-Beth Cooper was recently appointed by Gov. Charlie Baker to serve on one of three special commissions created under the landmark opioid legislation signed into law earlier this year.
Cooper and the other appointees to the commission were sworn in by the governor last month at the State House. She will serve on the special commission to study the incorporation of safe and effective pain treatment and prescribing practices into the professional training of students that may prescribe controlled substances.
This special commission is tasked with developing recommendations to ensure future prescribers have an understanding of certain fundamental issues relative to the opioid epidemic, including pain treatment, pain-treatment planning, safe prescribing practices, and prescription monitoring. The appointed commission will submit recommendations on or before Dec. 1.
“I’m honored to serve on this commission, representing our outstanding healthcare-preparation programs at Springfield College,” said Cooper. “I’m excited about the diversity of the commission, which includes family members of those who have struggled with opioid use, current healthcare providers, other educators, and committed community members all wanting to be a part of solutions to the opioid crisis.”
Joining Cooper as appointees to the special commission are Todd Brown, vice chairman of the School of Pharmacy at Northeastern University; Dr. Nitigna Desai, director of Addiction Psychiatry at Bedford Veteran Affairs Medical Center and director of the Substance Abuse Service Line at New England Healthcare; Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan, president and CEO of Dimock Community Health Center; Brad Ulrich, regional vice president for Walgreens; and Joan Vitello-Cicciu, dean of the UMass Graduate School of Nursing.

Jeffers Appointed Chair of ABH Board
NORTHAMPTON — At a recent board meeting, key leadership at the Assoc. for Behavioral Healthcare (ABH) appointed Karin Jeffers president and CEO at Clinical & Support Options, to the position of board chair.
Elected by a group of her peers, Jeffers will serve as the chair for a term of two years. During this time, she will work closely with ABH President Vic DiGravio, ABH staff, and volunteers on developing and advancing advocacy efforts that will benefit behavioral healthcare clients and the organizations that serve them.
Jeffers has spent the last several years on the executive committee at ABH, including two-year terms as the treasurer and the vice chair. She has served as the president and CEO at Clinical & Support Options for more than 10 years. CSO serves more than 2,500 families and 14,000 individuals in Hampshire, Hampden, Franklin, Berkshire, North Quabbin, and Worcester counties.