HMC Names Kathy Anderson Director of Community Benefits

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Medical Center announced the appointment of Kathleen Anderson as the hospital’s director of Community Benefits. She begins her new role on Aug. 27.

“We are thrilled to welcome Kathy to the Holyoke Medical Center team. She is an accomplished professional with over 20 years of networking experience in the city of Holyoke and regionally. Her extraordinary ability to build trusting relationships will be greatly appreciated in the role of director of Community Benefits,” said Spiros Hatiras, Holyoke Medical Center’s president and CEO.

Added Anderson, “throughout my career I have had the wonderful opportunity to get to know the needs of the community. This position will allow me to use the knowledge that I’ve gained over the years to best serve the current and future patients of HMC.”

The director of Community Benefits provides programs and services to improve health in communities and helps to increase access to healthcare. This is done to advance medical and health knowledge in the community and relieve or reduce the burden of government and other community efforts. Anderson will succeed Helen Arnold following her retirement after a 42-year career with Holyoke Medical Center. 

Anderson most recently served as president of the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce and its affiliated Centennial Foundation. Prior to that, she served as Holyoke’s Planning and Economic Development director, as well as chief of staff for two Holyoke mayors. She serves on the state Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development’s Economic Assistance Coordinating Council, and chairs both the Holyoke Salvation Army and Economic Development Partners of the Western Mass. Economic Development Council.

“I was born at Holyoke Medical Center, and I began my career at the hospital at the age of 14 in a volunteer position as a candy striper,” Anderson said. “This new role is a wonderful opportunity for me personally to go back to where I started. All of my family members have been cared for at the hospital, and I feel at home at Holyoke Medical Center.”