Holyoke Medical Center to Honor Dr. Samuel Mazza, Angela Wright

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Medical Center (HMC) announced that surgeon Dr. Samuel Mazza and civic leader Angela Wright will be honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards for their outstanding dedication and hard work on behalf of Holyoke Medical Center and the Holyoke community.

Also being recognized, for exceptional care, are select members of the Valley Health Systems staff. Award recipients will be honored at this year’s ACE Awards event in support of HMC on Saturday, Oct. 24 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield.

“Dr. Mazza and Angela Wright are each highly deserving of this recognition. We are a far better healthcare provider as a result of their many valuable contributions,” said Spiros Hatiras, president and CEO of Holyoke Medical Center and Valley Health Systems Inc. “The ACE Awards are an important way we highlight the work of our dedicated colleagues who deliver quality healthcare each and every day.”

Mazza and Wright have demonstrated a deep commitment to advancing HMC’s mission through their work in community-based healthcare and philanthropy, respectively.

Mazza is a general surgeon with an impressive record in the healthcare community. A U.S. Army Major, he received a Bronze Star for his service as general surgeon with the 25th Infantry during the Vietnam War. His numerous appointments include service as HMC’s chairman of the Department of Surgery, president of its medical staff, as well as a member of the board of directors. He served as a surgical consultant at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke and the Federal Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Leeds.

Wright served on the governing boards for Holyoke Medical Center and its parent corporation for 37 years. Her accomplishments include co-chair of HMC’s successful 2002 Yours for Life capital campaign with her husband, Joseph. This $4 million campaign improved patient care at Holyoke Medical Center with renovations and construction of its cperating and endoscopy rooms, patient registration space, and the front lobby. Wright was also instrumental in the 1976 “Follies” fund-raiser, which led to the purchase of five new cardiac monitors for the Intensive Care Unit.

Tickets to the Oct. 24 event, which is open to the public, are available by contacting Denise Rebmann at rebmann_denise@holyokehealth.com or (413) 534-2579.