HMC Names Phillip Candito Vice President of Business Development

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Medical Center (HMC) announced the appointment of Phillip Candito to the position of vice president of Business Development, where he is leading marketing and development efforts and focused on growing the organization.

Candito worked as director of Business Development at the Eastern Connecticut Health Network in Manchester, Conn. for 10 years before coming to HMC. Previously, he served St. Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury, Conn. as director of Rehabilitation Services and Occupational Medicine, and as a physical therapist.

Earlier, he earned a degree in psychology from the University of Connecticut; worked in television, video, and stage production for 10 years in Connecticut and New York City; re-enrolled at UConn and earned a degree in physical therapy, which he practiced for 10 years; then attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to earn his graduate degree.

“Holyoke Medical Center is committed to expanding our reach further into the community, in order to best serve the needs of our patients,” said Spiros Hatiras, president and CEO of HMC and Valley Health Systems Inc. “Phil brings an impressive track record for starting projects and seeing them through to successful outcomes, ensuring Holyoke Medical Center will continue to take a leading role in developing healthcare initiatives throughout Western Massachusetts and beyond.”

Among plans for expansion are the opening of a medical weight loss center at HMC, staffed by bariatric surgeon Dr. Ioannis Raftopoulos, which will offer medical and surgical weight-management programs in collaboration with dieticians, exercise physiology, and psychologists, Candito said.

“My chief goal is to grow Holyoke Medical Center and communicate what a gem of a community hospital HMC is,” he added, noting that he is was impressed with the friendly and positive culture at HMC. “It was evident from the moment I walked through the front door.”

Increasing accessibility to HMC’s programs through new physician’s offices, laboratories, physical-therapy services, and medical imaging in Chicopee, South Hadley, and other bordering towns is also a priority, he said.

“We want to let people know there is high-quality care with a smile, within a short distance of their homes and businesses. Over the course of the next few years, people will start to see the HMC brand more readily available in their communities.”

He added, “it’s always exciting to start new things — designing them, launching them, and watching them grow.”