D’Agostino Joins Mercy in Major Gifts Role
SPRINGFIELD — Tina D’Agostino has joined Mercy Medical Center as a Major Gifts officer in the Fund Development Department.
In this role, her responsibilities include expanding the Major Gifts program by cultivating donors and donor prospects, coordinating major gifts as they relate to capital fundraising campaigns, and overseeing volunteers who support the department.
D’Agostino joins Mercy Medical Center after 17 years in the arts and entertainment industry. Most recently, she served as president of the Springfield Performing Arts Development Corp., a nonprofit organization that presented shows and managed CityStage and Symphony Hall in downtown Springfield. She also has extensive experience in development, marketing, and event planning.
A native of Springfield, D’Agostino is a graduate of Bay Path University and she holds a certificate of arts administration from the UMass Arts Extension. Additionally, she is an honorary member of Beta Gamma Sigma, the international business honor society.
“Tina is a proven leader with exceptional management and communication skills, and she will be an important asset to the Mercy team,” said Mark Fulco, president of Mercy Medical Center and its affiliates.
Prosthetic & Orthotic Solutions Welcomes Cabrini
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Prosthetic & Orthotic Solutions, LLC announced the addition of Chris Cabrini to its practice. He brings 20 years of experience as a practitioner in Western Mass. and Connecticut. ABC-certified since 2005, he holds a bachelor’s degree in medical rehabilitation from Springfield College and completed his postgraduate training at the Newington Certificate Program in Orthotics and Prosthetics, an affiliate of the University of Connecticut.
Cabrini’s design and problem-solving talents are complemented by his team approach to patient care. Collaborating with patients and their physicians and rehabilitation specialists, he ensures each device he builds is both comfortable and functionally effective. He sees patients on site and travels to area hospitals, nursing and rehabilitation facilities, and patient homes based on medical and transportation needs. He puts great effort into learning about his patients’ goals and challenges, including them in the design process, and motivating them to follow treatment plans for optimum success.
Joining Prosthetic & Orthotic Solutions was a homecoming of sorts for Chris, as he and co-owners Craig Babyak and Christian Rogers worked alongside one another when the three were starting out in the field.
Founded in 2006, Prosthetic & Orthotic Solutions debuted two new offices in 2018 to better serve patients along the I-91 corridor — a home base with an expanded, state-of-the-art lab in West Springfield, and a second location in Bloomfield, Conn.
Cabrini welcomes pediatric and adult patients. To schedule an appointment, call (413) 785-4047 for the West Springfield office or (860) 904-2419 for the Bloomfield office.
River Valley Counseling Center Promotes Brock
HOLYOKE — River Valley Counseling Center (RVCC) announced the promotion of Joy Brock to program director of the CONCERN Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
“We are pleased to promote Dr. Brock to our leadership team,” said Rosemarie Ansel, executive director of River Valley Counseling Center. “As a licensed psychologist with RVCC for over four years, Joy is experienced not only within her area of expertise, but also within our corporate culture of providing high-quality, compassionate care every time.”
Brock received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Maryland University College, a master’s degree in psychology from Old Dominion University, and a master’s degree in clinical psychology and a doctorate in psychology, both from Regent University. She practiced in Virginia and Florida before moving to Vermont for a clinical psychology internship at the Brattleboro Retreat, where she was involved in the Uniformed Service Program.
Brock joined RVCC in October 2014. Her experience includes being a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, a member of Regent University’s trauma team, and a member of the Florida Red Cross Disaster Action Team. This unique blend of experience supports her role as the new program director of the CONCERN EAP.
“In my previous role, I had the opportunity to work in the CONCERN EAP office and provided short-term, solution-focused counseling to employees to address a variety of issues,” Brock said. “In this new role, I am looking forward to expanding RVCC’s presence within the local community and demonstrating our commitment to providing wellness to both employers and employees.”
Rose Honored with BMC Patient-Centered Award
PITTSFIELD — A long-time nephrologist at Berkshire Medical Center (BMC) has been recognized with the 2019 Patient-Centered Physician Award, presented annually to a physician who exemplifies the philosophy of patient-centered care at BMC. Dr. Henry Rose, who has served kidney-disease and dialysis patients at BMC for more than 30 years, was awarded the honor during a breakfast ceremony on March 29, National Doctors Day.
“Henry works in an environment and with patients facing a critical illness and life-altering treatments and care,” said Dr. Michael McInerney, BMC chief of staff, in presenting the honor to Rose. “When these patients first begin their dialysis, they are naturally concerned, nervous, and are often frightened about their future, and Henry provides them with a sensitive ear and a guiding hand, giving them not only the value of his great medical expertise, but also the compassion of a friend for all of his patients and their families.”
“Henry was one of my most important mentors in my career,” said Dr. David Henner, one of Rose’s physician colleagues in Renal Dialysis. “Perhaps the most important aspects of practice, I’ve learned from Henry.”
Dr. David Albert, another physician colleague, said, “I can think of no physician who has more exemplified patient-centered care. Henry always places the patient’s needs above those of his own.”
A nursing colleague added, “he will not only go out of his way to help his patients, he will go to the ends of the earth and beyond. He also takes his time with patients, truly listens to them, respectfully answers all of their questions, and actively involves their loved ones in the plan of care.”
An important part of this recognition is that the physician has a highly positive impact on the team approach to care. One of his nursing co-workers noted that “Dr. Rose is prepared to support and work with the interdisciplinary team to identify obstacles his patients may face, and he goes above and beyond to break down these hurdles so his patients can receive the best care possible.”
Rose also received praise from colleagues in Nutrition, Pharmacy, and other services that interact regularly with the renal team.
In receiving the award, Rose credited those around him for his success and that of the overall Renal Dialysis program. He said the team approach to care is essential to the care provided to kidney-disease patients, and he relies on the entire staff working together.
Pathlight Gives Scholarship, Supervision Award to Barsaleau
SPRINGFIELD — Pathlight, a Valley leader in residential and community services for people with intellectual disabilities and autism, named Program Manager Victoria Barsaleau the recipient of its annual Donald Fletcher Scholarship.
The $5,000 scholarship, which is awarded yearly, is meant to assist an employee in obtaining an undergraduate degree. A committee of Pathlight board members and staff made the selection after receiving applications from employees. The scholarship is named after Donald Fletcher, Pathlight’s former executive director, who was committed to helping staff pursue their education. This scholarship is in addition to Pathlight’s current tuition-reimbursement program.
Barsaleau was also recognized for her leadership with Pathlight’s Michelle Reberkenny Supervisor Recognition award.
She started at Pathlight in 2016, but began her career in human services nine years ago, serving as a direct-support professional supporting people with intellectual disabilities and intensive behavioral needs. She got her start in the field after her father drove her to a day program that supports adults with disabilities and encouraged her to apply for a job. “He knew I was destined for this kind of work,” she said. “And he was right. I immediately fell in love.”
Barsaleau is currently working toward her undergraduate degree at Bay Path University, majoring in human services and rehabilitation.
“I was so shocked,” she said about receiving the scholarship. “I’ve been taking out student loans, and this will pay for the remainder of my education.”
Pathlight programs include Whole Children in Hadley and Autism Connections in Easthampton.
