Page 13 - Healthcare Heores 2021

HEALTHCARE HEROES OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
COMMUNITY HEALTH
Beth Cardillo
Executive Director, Armbrook Village
She Extends the Reach of This Facility Well Beyond Its Four Walls
By George O’Brien
eth Cardillo has spent the past decade creating what can only be called a ‘community’ at Armbrook Village in Westfield.
It’s a community of roughly 300 residents and staff who share space, time, memories, and opportunities to
learn and grow.
But Cardillo, executive director of the facility, has long
understood that, while Armbrook Village is a community, it is not an island unto itself. Instead, it is part of a larger community — not only Greater Westfield, but all of Western Mass.
And she has made her goal — and mission — to see to it that Armbrook is not merely part of that community, but a leader on important matters ranging from understanding dementia
to supporting caregivers; from giving students in healthcare programs opportunities to learn while doing to combating bullying within the senior population (yes, it happens there too, as she will explain later).
“What really makes Armbrook a community is where we
are in the rest of the community at large — where we are in Westfield, where we are in Hampden County, where we are in Massachusetts,” she explained. “We’re clearly not just our four walls.”
It is this simple philosophy that has earned Cardillo a place within the Healthcare Heroes class of 2021. And while her
work qualifies her for that honor in many categories — from Administration to Innovation to Lifetime Achievement — she is being recognized in the realm where she has perhaps most made her mark — Community Health.
As noted, this work covers many bases, and she is perhaps best noted for creating Armbrook’s celebrated Dementia Friendly Westfield/Western Mass. project, which builds awareness and empathy and reduces the stigma of dementia.
“The goal is to foster an environment that supports and uplifts those residents who are living with the symptoms of dementia, because if more people understand dementia and know how to communicate with those who have it, wouldn’t they be more likely to reach out and help rather than turn a blind eye?” wrote Kate Phelon, former director of the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce, one of several who nominated Cardillio to be
a Healthcare Hero. “And Beth has succeeded in that goal; this program has certainly changed the landscape when it comes to fostering better understanding of dementia and the challenges facing those who suffer from it.”
But, as noted, her work within the community to expand Armbrook’s efforts to improve quality of life — especially for the elderly and those who care for them — well beyond its four walls extends in many directions.
Looking at the sum of this work, it’s clear to see why Cardillo has been named a Healthcare Hero for 2021.
Leah Martin Photography
the community at large — where we are
in Westfield, where we are
in Hampden County, where we are in Massachusetts. We’re clearly not ju”st our four walls.
“
What really
makes Armbrook a community is where we are
in the rest of
OCTOBER 2021 A13
2021 HEALTHCARE HEROES