Career Pulse – June 2017

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) announced the hiring of Christopher Scott as the dean of the School of Health & Patient Simulation.

Scott had been the interim dean since the retirement of Michael Foss in 2016. His previous positions at STCC include assistant dean for the School of Health & Patient Simulation and director of Clinical Education and SIMS Medical Center.

“Chris Scott is the perfect choice. He has demonstrated that he will uphold the standards of excellence for our programs that have made our graduates so sought-after by employers, while making sure STCC remains on the forefront of innovative healthcare education,” said Dr. Arlene Rodriguez, vice president of Academic Affairs at STCC. “He’s truly a visionary leader.”

Scott will lead a school that offers the most competitive programs at STCC and is home to the Northeast’s largest patient-simulation training facility. The SIMS Medical Center at STCC provides a clinical setting to train students as well as healthcare providers.

Scott played a key role in expanding the facility when he was hired as director in 2010. At the time, the center included 18 patient simulators and five rooms and provided 3,000 simulation experiences each year. Today, there are 52 simulators and 12 rooms, or simulation areas, and more than 20,000 simulation experiences.

As dean, he is responsible for the overall leadership of the school as well as for the daily and long-term operation of all the credit and non-credit health programs. About 800 students are enrolled in credit and non-credit programs. The school includes more than 100 full-time and part-time faculty and staff.

Scott sees his mission as helping to meet the community’s health care needs and ensuring access to the degree and certificate programs, which include cosmetology, dental assistant, dental hygiene, diagnostic medical imaging, interdisciplinary health studies, medical assistant, medical laboratory technician, nursing, rehabilitation therapies, respiratory care, and surgical technology.

“We want to make sure that our community understands what health programs are offered at STCC, and we want to ensure that we set our community up for success to enroll and graduate from our health programs,” Scott said. “We’re really about community engagement.”

Scott, who holds a master’s degree in health education and curriculum development from Springfield College, is currently is completing his doctorate of education in higher education administration from Northeastern University in Boston. A certified healthcare-simulation educator, Scott earned his bachelor’s degree in emergency medical services management from Springfield College.

PITTSFIELD — The American College of Health Care Administrators (ACHCA) recently honored Maria Craft, administrator of Mt. Greylock Extended Care Facility in Pittsfield, as a 2017 recipient of the ACHCA Eli Pick Facility Leadership Award. The award, named in memory of visionary ACHCA member Eli Pick, recognizes administrators whose teams have achieved dimensions of organizational quality that few others have been able to reach.

“I’m honored to receive this recognition, but the results we have achieved at Mt. Greylock Extended Care Facility are due to the hard work and dedication of every single team member here,” Craft said. “We are a five-star Medicare-rated facility and hold the Silver – Achievement in Quality award from the American Health Care Association, all with the support of the caregivers at Mt. Greylock Extended Care. I’m grateful to all of them.”

Fewer than 9{06cf2b9696b159f874511d23dbc893eb1ac83014175ed30550cfff22781411e5} of facilities nationwide qualified, and Craft was one of 206 recipients who received the Eli Pick Facility Leadership Award. This award recognizes the administrator of record who provided leadership throughout the award year. Eligibility for this award is based on three years of skilled-nursing-facility survey data, including the health, fire (life safety), and complaint surveys, as well as top-quartile performance on designated quality measures. The criteria also included an 80{06cf2b9696b159f874511d23dbc893eb1ac83014175ed30550cfff22781411e5} or greater facility occupancy and a three-year avoidance of a Special Focus Facility status.

PITTSFIELD — Dr. Dennis Owens, a long-time member of the Emergency Department team at Berkshire Medical Center, was recently recognized with the 2017 Patient-Centered Physician Award, presented annually to a physician who exemplifies the philosophy of patient-centered care at BMC.

“In the past, we have honored many remarkable physicians and surgeons, but I have to say this year’s recipient of the 14th annual Patient-Centered Physician award stood out, not just in his qualifications to receive this honor, but in the sheer number of nominations that validated this honor. Dr. Dennis Owens received 29 nominations from our staff, who view him as a role model and leader who demonstrates caring through quality interactions with his patients and those who work alongside him,” said Diane Kelly, the hospital’s chief operating officer.

“Our Emergency Department is always busy,” she continued. “We care for tens of thousands of people each year, and when they come through our doors, they are often scared, and certainly experiencing an acute illness or injury that requires immediate attention. It’s clear from the words we have seen from his colleagues that Dr. Owens responds to this challenging environment by being able to calm fears and ease pain and worry. His empathy for the patient and their loved ones, and his strong communication skills with staff, lead to very positive outcomes for our patients. They trust him, and we are a better hospital for having his knowledge, experience, good humor, and passion for patient care.”

The staff of Berkshire Medical Center submitted nominations for the award. They chose to honor Owens based on his actions as a role model and physician leader who demonstrates caring through quality interactions with others. The award focuses on communicating with patients and families, involving patients in healthcare decisions, taking the time to talk with patients and listen to their concerns, and working collaboratively and respectfully with all other members of the care team so that everyone can do their best in addressing patient-care issues. These behaviors exemplify a growing philosophical belief that all care activities must be centered around the patients’ needs, rather than hospital or individual routines and schedules.

The Patient-Centered Physician Award is presented each year in conjunction with National Doctors Day. Previous recipients of the award are Drs. Robert Wespiser, Richard Perera, Todd Lasner, Ronald Hayden, Paula Aucoin, Andrew Beckwith, Wade Gebara, Rocco Iannucci, Marcella Bradway, William DeMarco, Michael McHugh, Michael DeLeo, and Hafez Alsmaan.

GREAT BARRINGTON — Community Health Programs has named Thomas Walbridge its new chief financial officer. He will oversee the health network’s budget, financial operations, and planning.

Walbridge has served as chief financial officer and vice president for the Kinsley Group Inc. and as CFO for the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority; he was also director of finance and human resources at Six Flags New England. His early professional career was spent in the banking sector in Pittsfield. He holds a business degree from Babson College and an MBA from Western New England University.

“Tom’s background in executive-level financial management, human resources, and business operations suits us perfectly for the CFO position of our growing health network,” said Lia Spiliotes, CEO of Community Health Programs. “We look forward to working with him and welcome him to the CHP team.”

CHP finished its 2016 fiscal year with an operating surplus of nearly $700,000, on revenues of $14 million. During that year, CHP increased its patient and client numbers from 16,000 to more than 22,000, with the addition of two new practices in North Adams and other new-patient outreach. During 2016, employment at CHP grew from 140 to 175 and continues to expand.

Walbridge is also the founder and operator of LuckBridge Sports LLC, a company that creates affordable, inclusive team-building opportunities for youth and coaches in the developmental and advanced instruction of baseball and basketball. He volunteers in his community with youth sports programs, the American Red Cross, the March of Dimes, the Agawam Chamber of Commerce and the Agawam Rotary.

PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) announced the appointment of Dr. Mahlon Bradley, an experienced orthopaedic surgeon and specialist in sports medicine, to the Berkshire Medical Center medical staff and Berkshire Orthopaedic Associates, an affiliate of BHS.

Bradley is accepting new patients in need of orthopaedic care and sports medicine services, and practices out of Berkshire Orthopaedic’s North Adams Campus office and Pittsfield office. He is teamed with Drs. Jeffrey Cella, Anthony DeFelice, David Grygier, Kevin Mitts, and Mark Sprague at Berkshire Orthopaedic Associates.

Bradley has a long and storied history in orthopaedic care, having treated U.S. Olympic skater Nancy Kerrigan after she suffered a violent attack that seriously injured her knee prior to the 1994 Winter Olympics. He served as the team physician for the U.S. Olympic Team in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, and has been the team physician for U.S. Figure Skating.

Bradley comes to the Berkshires from Central Vermont Medical Center, and previously served at Cortland Regional Medical Center in Cortland, N.Y., and North Shore Medical Center in Salem. He is board-certified in orthopaedic surgery and sports medicine, and is working with Dr. Mark Sprague in expanding the BHS Sports and Wellness Program.

Bradley received his medical degree from Northwestern University Medical School and completed his residency in general surgery at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and his orthopaedic surgery residency at Tufts New England Medical Center. He was the chief resident in orthopaedics at New England Baptist Hospital in Boston.

For appointments with Dr. Bradley, call Berkshire Orthopaedic Associates at (413) 499-6600.

CHICOPEE — Sunshine Village announced three personnel changes as the organization continues to grow its programming footprint in the area to just under 500 participants.

Recently, Jenny Galat was promoted to program manager of the new Litwin Center Day Habilitation Program. Since 2013, Galat has worked for the organization as a developmental specialist, case manager, and program supervisor. She holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology with a concentration in social work from Saint Anselm’s College. When it opens this summer, she will oversee the new program’s focus on innovative day services for adults aged 18-32 years old.

As it expands, Sunshine Village welcomes Nichole Chilson as human resource generalist to assist with employee benefits, safety and health protocol compliance, and employee-relations initiatives. Chilson brings more than 25 years of human-resources and customer-service experience. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in criminal justice from Western New England University.

In addition, the organization recently named Amie Miarecki director of community relations. She brings 15 years of experience working in health and human services, including marketing, community relations, and resource development. She will promote Sunshine Village’s mission to help everyone shine by engaging with community partners and employers. Miarecki holds a master’s degree in corporate and organizational communication with a specialization in leadership from Northeastern University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in sociology from UMass Amherst.

Sunshine Village is a nonprofit organization with a main campus in Chicopee and additional sites in Chicopee, Springfield, Three Rivers, and Westfield. Since 1967, it has provided day services for people with developmental disabilities, including those on the autism spectrum.

SPRINGFIELD — Bacon Wilson, P.C. announced that attorney Hyman Darling recently took the oath of office as the incoming president of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). He was sworn in as president at NAELA’s annual conference along with other incoming members of the executive committee, and will officially assume his duties as NAELA president on June 1.

In addition to accepting the office of the presidency, Darling was also honored as a NAELA fellow for 2017. The fellow designation is the highest honor bestowed by NAELA, and is granted to members who have careers in elder law and who have made exceptional contributions to the field. Election as a NAELA fellow signifies an attorney recognized by his peers as a model for others, and an exceptional lawyer and leader. The most significant component in the selection process is commitment and contributions to NAELA through committee participation, programs, and leadership.

Upon accepting the fellow award and the presidency, Darling proceeded to address his NAELA colleagues, thanking them for record-high conference attendance and laying out his plans for the coming year. Much to the delight of the audience, his remarks were delivered entirely in rhyming verse.

Darling is a partner at Bacon Wilson, where he has practiced since 1981. He concentrates in the areas of trusts, estates, taxes, estate planning, probate, guardianships, special needs, and elder law. Prior to joining Bacon Wilson, he served as a trust officer. He has been a frequent presenter for both the Massachusetts Bar Assoc. and Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education. He has also spoken for NAELA at several conferences, both local and national. He is an adjunct faculty member at both Western New England University School of Law and Bay Path University.

Darling serves on many local planned-giving committees, and is a frequent lecturer for professional and civic groups in the Pioneer Valley. He is a member of the Special Needs Alliance, and is also a former president of the Hampden County Estate Planning Council.

LEE — Gail Beaudoin has been promoted to the Director of Marketing and Development at Porchlight VNA/Home Care. As an experienced manager in the fields of healthcare, nursing, case management, and education, she will bring to her new role an understanding of the needs of Porchlight’s clients.

Beaudoin holds an associate’s degree in health information management from Holyoke Community College, an associate’s degree in nursing from Excelsior College, a bachelor’s degree in health information management from Ohio State University, and a master of education degree in management and administration from Cambridge College. She is presently pursuing a master’s degree in nursing from Elms College.

In 2014, Chicopee VNA, Great to Be Home Care, and Porchlight VNA/Home Care merged to cover all of Berkshire, Hampshire, and Hampden counties, and Beaudoin will work within all of them. The agency has received several awards, including HomeCare Elite Awards of Excellence as one of the top 500 home-health agencies in the U.S. from Decision Health and National Research Corp.

EAST LONGMEADOW — The American College of Health Care Administrators (ACHCA) recently honored Michael Marcus, administrator of East Longmeadow Skilled Nursing Center in East Longmeadow, as a 2017 recipient of the ACHCA Eli Pick Facility Leadership Award. The award, named in memory of visionary ACHCA member Eli Pick, recognizes administrators whose teams have achieved dimensions of organizational quality that few others have been able to reach.

“It’s an honor to receive this recognition, but it is the hard work and compassionate care provided by our staff that is the real achievement,” said Marcus. “We are a four-star Medicare-rated facility and hold the Silver – Achievement in Quality award from the American Health Care Association, all with the support of the care team at East Longmeadow. I’m grateful to all of them.”

Fewer than 9{06cf2b9696b159f874511d23dbc893eb1ac83014175ed30550cfff22781411e5} of facilities nationwide qualified, and Marcus was one of 206 recipients who received the Eli Pick Facility Leadership Award. Based on the premise that facility excellence reflects leadership excellence, this award recognizes the administrator of record who provided that leadership throughout the award year. Eligibility for this award is based on three years of skilled-nursing-facility survey data, including the health, fire (life safety), and complaint surveys, as well as top-quartile performance on designated quality measures. The criteria also included an 80{06cf2b9696b159f874511d23dbc893eb1ac83014175ed30550cfff22781411e5} or greater facility occupancy and a three-year avoidance of a Special Focus Facility status. The award is made possible with the support of ABILITY Network.

WALTHAM — Dr. Henry Dorkin was elected 2017-18 president of the Mass. Medical Society (MMS) at its recent annual meeting and will lead the statewide professional organization of 25,000 physicians and medical students as its top officer for the next year.

Dorkin is director of the Pulmonary Clinical Research Program, co-director of the Cystic Fibrosis Clinical Center, and co-director of the Cystic Fibrosis Therapeutic Development Center, all at Boston Children’s Hospital. A former professor of Pediatrics at Tufts University School of Medicine, he is also associate professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, a position he has held since 2002.

A member of the medical society since 1982, Dorkin served as president-elect in 2016-17 and vice president in 2015-16. He has also chaired the Task Force on Electronic Health Record Interoperability and Usability and served as a member of the Task Force on Opioid Therapy and Physician Communication, the Organized Medical Staff Section, and the committees on Preparedness, Legislation, and Membership Services.