Page 56 - Healthcare News July-August 2020

Cooley Dickinson Employees Donate Personal Care Items
NORTHAMPTON — After receiv- ing dozens of donated meals from local restaurants and businesses since the start of the COVID-19 public-health crisis in March, Cooley Dickinson Health Care employees paid forward that gen- erosity by donating hundreds of personal hygiene products, rang- ing from hairbrushes and razors to deodorant, soap, and toothpaste to the Amherst and Northampton Survival Centers and the East- hampton Community Center.
“It was so important to see first- hand the important work these agencies do for our communities,” said Cooley Dickinson Chief Nurs- ing Officer Angela Belmont, who, along with Director of Commu- nity Health Jeff Harness, delivered donations at the agencies this week. “Our staff are so grateful for the generosity they have received from the community during the pandemic,”
Initially, Cooley Dickinson clini- cal staff — recipients of the dona- tions of meals and other items such as surgical masks and gloves — wanted to thank the commu- nity by hosting a food drive. But due to the COVID-19 public-health crisis, area shelters and food pan- tries were unable to accept food
From left, Jeff Harness, Robin Bialecki, and Angela Belmont deliver donated items to the Easthampton Community Center.
donations. Instead, shelter staff proposed another idea: donations of personal hygiene items.
From late May through early June, Cooley Dickinson staff con- ducted their own drive, gathering diapers for children and adults, feminine-hygiene articles, baby wipes, shampoo, toothpaste, dental floss, hairbrushes and combs, soap, deodorant, and other
personal-care items.
These items are sought-after
because “our clients can’t use their SNAP [food stamp] funds to pur- chase taxable items,” said Robin Bialecki, executive director of the Easthampton Community Center. In a letter thanking Cooley Dick- inson staff, Bialecki noted that the donations “make a world of dif- ference to those in need. From the
staff and volunteers at the East- hampton Community Center and all of the 5,000 clients we assist in 23 area communities, our most heartfelt thanks!”
In addition to the personal-care items gathered by hospital staff, each agency received a $2,500 gift of support from Cooley Dickinson Hospital to further their commu- nity outreach.
WSU Accepting Applications for Addiction Counselor Education Program
WESTFIELD — Westfield State University’s College of Graduate and Continuing Education is ac- cepting applications for the 2020- 21 addiction counselor education (ACE) program. Classes will be held evenings and weekends start- ing in September 2020 and ending in May 2021.
The goal of this non-credit
certificate program, offered at the university since 1991, is to pro- vide students with the knowledge, skills, and techniques necessary for the successful treatment of individuals and families afflicted by alcoholism and/or other drug addictions. This program has been highly instrumental in the profes- sional development of individuals
in Western Mass. who are either working or interested in the grow- ing healthcare field of addiction services.
To help with this mission, Westfield State also offers the ACE program at a satellite location, in Pittsfield, to help train potential counselors in the Berkshires area to fill critical positions in treat-
ment facilities that are under- staffed and unable to fill open positions.
Applications for both programs are available online at www. westfield.ma.edu/ace. For more in- formation, or to receive an appli- cation by mail, contact Brandon Fredette at bfredette@westfield. ma.edu or (413) 572-8033.
Visiting Angels of West Springfield Moves to Larger Central Office
WEST SPRINGFIELD — On July 15, Visiting Angels of West Spring- field moved to a new office space. The new building, at 33 Westfield St., Suite 1, in West Springfield — just down the road from the for- mer office location — will accom- modate Visiting Angels’ growing staff and business operations.
Visiting Angels offers in-home- care services to elderly and dis- abled adults throughout Western Mass. The franchise opened its doors in 1999, and has since grown to provide more than 70,000 hours of care annually, helping individuals maintain a sense of independence, dignity,
and quality of life in their own home setting. CEO Michele Anstett plans to use the extra office space to expand in-office caregiver train- ing.
“We look forward to extend- ing to you a warm welcome in our new space and continuing to expand and provide high-quality
care to your loved ones,” Anstett said. “In accordance with CO- VID-19 precautions, if you are planning a visit, please call (413) 733-6900 to schedule an appoint- ment.”
56 WWW.HEALTHCARENEWS.COM JULY/AUGUST 2020