Page 26 - Healthcare News Mar/Apr 2022

CAREER PULSE CONT’D
Piñero, who has worked in the field of addiction and mental- health services for more than two decades, will have responsibilities that include further development of MHA’s clinical and operational practices and policies as well as oversight of outpatient behavior- al-health services through MHA’s
BestLife Emotional Health and Wellness Center that opened in 2019.
Piñero has held clinical director or supervisor positions at the Center for Human Development as well as Gándara Center, and worked with programs targeting a broad range of populations, including interventions for batter- ers, survivors of domestic abuse, aftercare for second of- fenders, sex-offender treatments, and anger-management groups.
Piñero was educated in his native Puerto Rico, where he also worked, and holds an undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Puerto Rico and a master’s degree in psychological counseling from the In- teramerican University of Puerto Rico. He is licensed and certified in mental-health counseling, alcohol and drug counseling, and as a Massachusetts problem-gambling specialist.
ence in healthcare and brings a unique perspective to the position, having held various leadership roles both in the U.S. and as a volunteer with the U.S. Peace Corps.
In her new position, Acker is responsible for guid-
ing Fallon Health’s equity strategy and program. She
will work in collaboration with others throughout the organization as well as with external stakeholders to keep the organization focused on putting in place changes that will help reduce health disparities and increase equitable access for Fallon members.
The addition of the Health Equity Program manager role to Fallon comes as the COVID-19 pandemic has shone a light on the damaging effects of health disparities in healthcare. The impacts are well-documented and were recently discussed by Acker and Fallon Health President and CEO Richard Burke during Fallon’s most recent radio podcast.
Acker serves as chair of Fallon’s cross-functional Health Equity Workgroup and as a member of the organiza- tion’s Council for Cultural Competence. She previously served as a health-promotion specialist for government programs for Fallon from 2018 to 2021. Prior to that, she managed community health-education programs in both Seattle and Boston. She also spent two years as a com- munity health and development volunteer with the U.S. Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic while attaining her master of public health degree from the University of Washington. Acker holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Marymount University.
Baystate Ob/Gyn Group Welcomes Thayer, Shin
SPRINGFIELD — The providers and staff of Baystate Ob/Gyn Group Inc. (BOGG) recently welcomed two certified nurse midwives, Sarah Thayer and Esther Shin, into its Midwifery department.
Thayer brings a vast amount of experience in women’s healthcare not only in midwifery but in other specialized roles as well. Her educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in sociology, an associate degree in nursing, a master’s degree in midwifery, and a certificate in nurse midwifery locally, through the Baystate Mid- wifery Education Program.
Thayer’s love of supporting women through physiologic birth grew from her early work as a birth doula and licensed massage therapist for more than 10 years. She worked as a registered nurse
for many years and completed a graduate midwife fellow- ship to begin her certified nurse midwifery career in 2020. Specific areas of interest include contraception, adoles- cent health and wellness, promotion of physiologic birth and breastfeeding, care for Spanish-speaking populations, childbirth education, group prenatal care, LGBTQ health and wellness, community doula care, and research.
Shin joins Baystate Ob/Gyn Group following her mid- wifery clinical integration in 2021 at BOGG through the Baystate Midwifery Education Program. Partnering with Baystate Health for her integration allowed the practice’s providers to observe firsthand her natural ability to de- liver the core fundamentals of midwifery care and to col-
laborate with her on her educational goals in midwifery. Prior to entering her midwifery career, Shin’s educa- tional background included years of work in healthcare
with an associate degree in nursing, a bachelor’s degree in nursing, and a master’s degree in midwifery. Her experi- ence in healthcare has been rooted in many years of work as a registered nurse, in settings including surgical care, labor and delivery, and obstetrics.
Martinez Joins Christina’s House as Program Manager
SPRINGFIELD — Shannon Mumblo, executive direc- tor of Christina’s House, announced that Carolyn Marti- nez has joined the organization as program manager.
In her new role, Martinez will work closely with Christina’s House human-services profes- sionals and direct service staff to ensure that mothers and their children who were homeless or near-homeless are developing vital life skills and are steadily working through the program
with the goal of transitioning to stable housing and self- sufficiency.
Martinez brings first-hand experience to Christina’s House as a graduate of the program. She has worked in community healthcare settings for the past several years and has completed certificate programs in child behavior- al health and community health. She is currently a student at Cambridge College working toward a bachelor’s degree in human services.
Now in its 10th year, Christina’s House operates two houses in Springfield that provide transitional housing and social services for homeless or near-homeless moth- ers and children. The program educates, embraces, and encourages families as they develop the life skills needed to become self-sufficient as they transition from home- lessness to stable environments. Through the program, women and their children participate in programs that include financial counseling, job-skills development, and building healthy eating and exercise habits.
Professional Care Match Welcomes Schelb
WESTPORT — John Schelb has joined Professional Care Match, a subsidiary of Perfect Care Match, LLC, as the Western Mass. division case manager.
Leah Doroch, President & CEO of Professional Care Match, a subsidiary of Perfect Care Match, LLC. is de- lighted to add John Schelb to her ever-growing team.
“John will cover all Western Mass. cases and will con- tinue to grow our Western Mass. division. His territory runs from Worcester to the New York border, north to New Hampshire, and south to Connecticut,” said Leah Doroch, president and CEO of Professional Care Match, a subsidiary of Perfect Care Match, LLC.
Schelb’s background includes a stint as a mental-health counselor for a locked forensic psych ward, where he
was the liaison between the patients and nurses to ensure proper and all-encompassing care planning for each patient. His latest role was in manufacturing operations, where he made sure employees had the appropriate tools they needed to be successful.
RENÉ PIÑERO
CAROLYN MARTINEZ
Instrum Joins Staff of
Berkshire Orthopaedic
Associates
PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Health Systems announced the appointment of Dr. Khaled Instrum, a board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon, to the medi- cal staff of Berkshire Medical Center and the provider staff of Berkshire Orthopaedic Associates.
Instrum, who has specialized training and experience in shoulder and knee surgery, is accepting new patients
in need of orthopaedic care and is partnered with Drs. Jeffrey Cella, Anthony DeFelice, Matthew DeWolf, Jarod Goodrich, Christina Kane, Ashley Miller, Kevin Mitts, James Parkinson, and Daniel Sage at Berkshire Orthopae- dic Associates.
Instrum is board-certified in orthopaedic surgery and was fellowship-trained in shoulder and knee surgery at the University of Calgary. He received his medical degree from Dalhousie Medical School, Halifax, Novia Scotia and completed his residency in orthopaedic surgery at the University of Calgary. He came to the Berkshires from Holyoke Medical Center, where he had served since 2010.
Berkshire Orthopaedic Associates is an affiliate of Berk- shire Health Systems and has locations in Pittsfield, North Adams, and Great Barrington. For an appointment with Instrum or one of his colleagues, ask your primary-care physician for a referral or call (413) 499-6600.
Fallon Health Names Acker Health Equity Program Manager
WORCESTER — Fallon Health, a nationally recognized, not-for-profit healthcare-services organization, announced that Katie Acker has been named to the newly created role of Health Equity Program manager. Acker has more than 13 years of experi-
SARAH THAYER
ESTHER SHIN
KATIE ACKER
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