Page 32 - HealthcareNews May/June 2021

CAREER PULSE
Louis & Clark Pharmacy Names James President
SPRINGFIELD — Louis & Clark Pharmacy in Spring- field has named Kara James, PharmD, its new president. A co-owner of the pharmacy, James previously held the position of pharmacy manager. She has been with Louis & Clark since 2012.
“I have spent the last eight years learning and growing with Louis & Clark,” James said. “In my new role, I will ensure we continue to provide the outstanding care and customer service we are known for, while also expanding with new services and technology that allow us to meet increasing demands as
healthcare evolves. This role will move me from overseeing our day-to-day operations to looking at the big picture and strategizing for continuous improvement.”
James attained her doctor of pharmacy degree in 2012 from Albany College of Pharmacy. She is also certified by the American Pharmacists Assoc. in pharmacy-based im- munization delivery.
“This past year has been a struggle for everyone, and our services have become increasingly vital due to the pan- demic,” James said. “We proved to our customers we are committed to keeping them safe and providing the medi- cation they need daily. Our free delivery service is more popular than ever, allowing convenience and peace of mind to customers who can get their medications without leaving their homes. We are committed to growing and enhancing our services to meet the needs of our customers.”
Taylor Street Dental Welcomes Seo to Practice
SPRINGFIELD — Taylor Street Dental announced the addition of Brian Seo, DDS to its dental practice at 41 Taylor St. in Springfield.
Seo was born in South Korea and raised in the Midwest. After graduating from Indiana University, he attended New York University College of Dentistry, graduating with honors in academics and recognition for excellence by the Northeastern Society of Periodontists.
He then completed a general- practice residency program at New York Methodist Hospital in Brook- lyn, N.Y., where he developed his passion for implant dentistry. After the residency program, he began practicing in Queens, N.Y., while continuing to pursue his interest in learning and teaching.
Upon completion of extensive implant-education pro- grams through Hiossen AIC Institute, Seo took a position as a faculty affiliate with Hiossen Implant and began to help other dentists become more familiar with implant dentistry in both the classroom setting and in live-surgery courses in New York, New Jersey, and also internationally, in Columbia and the Ukraine.
“Dr. Seo’s background and expertise makes him an excel- lent addition to Taylor Street Dental as we move into the future and continue to offer our patients the most cutting- edge services and advancements in the field,” said Dr. Da- vid Peck, owner of Taylor Street Dental. “I’m impressed not only by his commitment to providing the highest levels of care, but also educating patients about their dental health.”
MHA’s Burgess, Clark, Conklin Win WMSAPA Service Awards
SPRINGFIELD — MHA’s Alane Burgess, Dallas Clark and Amy Conklin were individually honored by the Western Massachusetts Substance Abuse Providers’ Assoc. (WMSAPA) with service awards, which were presented on June 11 during a WMSAPA meeting conducted via Zoom.
Burgess received the Outstanding Service Award, which is given to a person working in the substance-abuse treat- ment field. She is the clinic director for MHA’s BestLife Emotional Health & Wellness Center, which provides a wide range of substance-use treatment and recovery ser- vices and supports. In the COVID era, when many agencies have struggled just to stay afloat, Burgess has helped fuel the growth of MHA programs, including those delivered via MHA’s TeleWell app, that support people who seek recovery or are in early or sustained recovery.
Clark received the Michael Donahoe Outstanding Achievement in Recovery Award, which is given to a person who is presently in recovery and doing well. They must have completed one of WMSAPA’s treatment programs and presently be working in the field of addiction treat- ment, prevention, or intervention. Clark is lead recovery coach for MHA’s Bestlife Emotional Health & Wellness Center, providing guidance and support to individuals in early recovery from the perspective of someone who has faced similar challenges and, through strength and perse- verance, moved into stable, long-term recovery.
Conklin received the Outstanding Service Award, which is given to a person working in the substance-abuse treat- ment field. She is senior clinical director for MHA’s GRIT Co-occurring Enhanced Residential Rehabilitation Services Program, and is responsible for MHA’s three GRIT Residential Rehabilitation Services programs. At the root
of Conklin’s success is her ability to connect with people, seeing them, and hearing them where they are. That con- nection helps them move forward because they want to, not because someone forces them to, which is a foundation for living successfully in long-term recovery.
“It’s incredibly gratifying when external organizations recognize MHA staff members for the incredibly life- changing efforts they contribute every day in the course
of their service to others,” said Cheryl Fasano, president and CEO of MHA. “For Alane, Dallas, and Amy to receive these accolades from WMSAPA speaks volumes about the commitment they bring to their jobs. This is especially true when you factor in the additional challenges that COVID presents to those in treatment or seeking treatment for sustained pathways in recovery.”
Fasano Elected to Board of Providers’ Council
SPRINGFIELD — Mental Health Assoc. (MHA) Presi- dent and CEO Cheryl Fasano has been elected to the board of directors for the Providers’ Council, an association of community-based human-services agencies in Massachu- setts with more than 220 members.
“As a leader in the human- services community for many years, Cheryl has made numerous contributions to the Mental Health Association and our sector as a whole,” Providers’ Council Presi- dent and CEO Michael Weekes said. “We’re very pleased that our
sector’s leaders have elected her to serve on the Providers’ Council’s board of directors, and we look forward to her sharing her knowledge and expertise with us.”
“Like MHA, the Providers’ Council traces its roots to the deinstitutionalization movement, whose pioneering approach sought to include vulnerable individuals in the community instead of hiding them from society in state hospitals,” Fasano said. “I look forward to working closely with my fellow board members. It’s great to have a new opportunity to lend a voice that represents our industry of caring and inclusion, as well as the people we serve.”
BFAIR Welcomes Ellrodt, Narey, Boucher to Board
NORTH ADAMS — BFAIR recently welcomed three members of the Berkshire community to its board of directors: Dr. Gray Ellrodt, attorney Steve Narey, and Laila Boucher.
Ellrodt, former chief of Medi- cine at Berkshire Medical Center, comes to BFAIR with more than 30 years of experience in the medi-
cal field. He is a volunteer with
the American Heart Assoc. (AHA) and past president of the AHA Berkshire board, receiving the Chairman’s Award in 2009, past
president of the Northeast affiliate board of directors, past chair of the Get with the Guidelines steering committee, and past chair of the Mission: Lifeline AWG. Ellrodt joined BFAIR’s board of directors in 2020, and shortly thereafter he volunteered to co-chair the agency’s annual campaign fundraiser. He contributes to the efforts of BFAIR’s quality compliance department.
Narey, an attorney with Donovan, O’Connor & Dodig LLP, joined BFAIR’s board of directors in 2021 and has much experience in the human-service field, including serving on the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress (MDSC) board, which he became involved with following the
birth of his youngest son, Cole. Serving as president from 2014 to 2018, Narey received the MDSC’s 2020 Leadership Award, which recognizes an individual who advocates for disability causes and champions expanded opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome. He serves on BFAIR’s governance and advocacy committees.
Boucher is a Mississippi trans- plant who moved to Berkshire County in 2007. Her husband is a North Adams native and intro- duced her to the area she now calls home. Boucher joined BFAIR’s board of directors in 2021, serving on the finance and development committees. In 2008, she started
her banking career as a teller for Adams Community Bank and currently is the bank’s vice president of Government Banking.
SkinCatering Promotes Redman to Salon & Spa Manager
SPRINGFIELD — SkinCatering Salon & Spa, located inside Tower Square in downtown Springfield, announced
KARAJAMES
DR. GRAYELLRODT
STEVE NAREY
BRIAN SEO
LAILABOUCHER
CHERYL FASANO
32 WWW.HEALTHCARENEWS.COM MAY/JUNE 2021