Chairs Named for Arthritis Walk; Registration Open

SPRINGFIELD — The Arthritis Foundation’s Massachusetts chapter has named the volunteer leadership for the 2010 Western Mass. Arthritis Walk. Joan McGirr, an orthopedic nurse and Total Joint Replacement coordinator at Baystate Medical Center, has been named walk chair, and Dr. Scott Halista, a rheumatologist at the Arthritis Treatment Center in Springfield, has been named medical chair for this year’s event.

Registration for the Oct. 17 walk is now open, and the planning committee is busy with preparations for this event that raises funds for arthritis research and community programs.

Halista has served as medical chair for four years. After participating in the walk for three years as team captain of Team Western MA NAON, McGirr joined the planning committee in 2009. Now committee chair of the walk, she has become instrumental in recruiting health organizations and rehabilitation centers throughout the region to support the event.

The 2010 Western Mass. Arthritis Walk will be held at Forest Park in Springfield. Walk and volunteer registration is now open at www.westernmassarthritiswalk.org. The walk is a one- or three-mile route followed by a post-walk party with food, entertainment, prizes, and more.