D’Agostino Named CMN Chairperson

SPRINGFIELD – Rudy M. D’Agostino, CPA, a certified public accountant and partner at Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. in Holyoke, has been named chair of the 2006 Children’s Miracle Network Telethon at Baystate Children’s Hospital, which will be broadcast June 3 over WWLP-TV 22 from 7 to 10 p.m.

“We are delighted to have such a prominent member of the business community as Rudy D’Agostino to head our 20th Anniversary Children’s Miracle Network campaign, and we are grateful to him and to Meyers Brothers Kalicka for their support,” said Ely Dunn, manager, Children’s Miracle Network.

D’Agostino’s daughter, Danielle, was treated at Baystate Children’s Hospital by adult and pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Paul Kanev, and he will bring a unique perspective to his hosting duties as someone who has experienced firsthand the benefits of having a children’s hospital close to home said Dunn.

Since their daughter’s surgery at Baystate Children’s Hospital in March 2005, D’Agostino and his wife, Tracie, have supported the Children’s Miracle Network by appearing on last year’s telethon broadcast and on the WMAS Radiothon. He is also a member of the Golf Committee for the Max Classic Golf Tournament, which benefits Baystate Children’s Hospital.

“It was a parent’s worst nightmare to learn the news that our daughter had a brain tumor,” said D’Agostino about the non-cancerous growth that was successfully removed by Kanev.

“My wife and I were calmed in the manner that Dr. Kanev delivered the news to us, especially to Danielle,” he added about the neurosurgeon’s beside manner. “Dr. Kanev was informative, confident, understanding and supportive. We are thrilled with the care our daughter received from Baystate in every facet of the process and it is a great benefit to have the expertise right here in our backyard.”

As a partner of Meyers Brothers Kalicka P.C., D’Agostino specializes in servicing closely held businesses, not-for-profit organizations and retirement plans.