Page 55 - Healthcare News Nov/Dec 2021

CAREER PULSE CONT’D
“You could tell from the moment that Michaela walked in the room that she has a passion for nursing and the care that was to be provided. She was knowledgeable, swift, and precise in her care,” a relative of the patient said. “She treated my husband’s aunt like she was the only patient on the floor. She was constantly checking in with us to make sure that we were as OK as we could be. It felt like she was caring for one of her family members in the way that she cared for her and for our family.”
The nomination went on to read, “Michaela is likely one of the sweetest, most compassionate and caring nurses I have had the pleasure of knowing. She seemed to read the room well and knew exactly what to say to us in that moment. Along with the absolutely amazing care that she provided for our loved one, she offered us a few moments of reprieve when she was in the room.”
Psychiatrist Halabi Joins Berkshire Health Systems
PITTSFIELD — At a time when there is a severe deficit of mental-health providers specializing in the care of children and adolescents, Berkshire Health Systems an- nounced the appointment of Dr. Fadi Halabi, a board- certified and fellowship-trained psychiatrist specializing in child and adolescent psychiatry, to the medical staff of
Berkshire Medical Center. Halabi joins the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at BMC.
Halabi received his medical de- gree from American University of Beirut in Lebanon and completed his residency in general psychiatry at Washington University/Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. He is
board-certified in general psychiatry and fellowship-trained in child and adolescent psychiatry from Washington Uni- versity/St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
UMass Amherst Honors Becker, Hescock with Chancellor’s Medal
AMHERST — Two employees who have been coordinat- ing UMass Amherst’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic since March were recently honored by Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy for their efforts.
Ann Becker, campus Public Health director and a clinical associate professor in the Elaine Marieb College
of Nursing, and Jeffrey Hescock, executive director of Environmental Health and Safety and Emergency Manage- ment, were awarded the Chancellor’s Medal at a recent tribute dinner. Hescock and Becker are the co-directors of the university’s Public Health Promotion Center (PHPC), which has been the home to the UMass COVID testing and vaccination programs. The Chancellor’s Medal is the high- est honor the campus bestows on individuals, and is given for exemplary and extraordinary service to the university.
Together, Becker and Hescock established the PHPC, which became one of the largest asymptomatic COVID testing resources in the commonwealth. Applying their knowledge to each new challenge in the pandemic, they continually evolved the PHPC from a testing site to a vacci- nation clinic as well. And when the Delta variant appeared on campus this fall, they redoubled their efforts to keep the campus safe, Subbaswamy noted.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021
Rehab Resolutions Welcomes Physical Therapist Powers
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Rehab Resolutions Inc. re- cently welcomed a new physical therapist to its team.
“We are excited to announce that Amy Powers, MSPT has joined us at Rehab Resolutions Inc. in
our West Springfield clinic,” the practice announced. “Amy has been helping people get better with physical therapy since 1996 and brings her passion to help patients regain their mobility and be more
active. She loves treating people of all ages and athletes as well. Amy hopes to bring her high energy and positivity to help the company thrive.”
WNE Professor Kwaczala Named Woman of Innovation
SPRINGFIELD — Andrea Kwaczala, assistant profes- sor of Biomedical Engineering (BME) in the Western New England University (WNE) College of Engineering, has been named a 2021 Woman of Innovation for her efforts in post-secondary academic innovation and leadership by the Connecticut Technology Council (CTC) and the Connecti- cut Center for Advanced Technology Inc.
Kwaczala was among 11 exceptional Connecticut women recognized for their achievement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) at the 17th annual Women of Innovation awards held virtually on Oct. 14.
Women of Innovation finalists are nominated by their peers, co-workers, and mentors and are selected based on their professional experience, history of innovation, ability to think creatively and solve problems, and demonstration of leadership. The Post-Secondary Academic Innovation and Leadership award is granted to a woman working in the post-secondary academic setting who has created and fostered STEM programs in curriculum development, student research, and teacher-student collaborations. Each finalist has secured outside funding to support her work and/or received peer recognition for her leadership and innovation.
Ward Earns Top Healthcare Management Credential
SPRINGFIELD — Judith Ward, vice president of Mar- keting and Communications at Baystate Health, has been certified as a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), the nation’s leading professional soci- ety for healthcare leaders.
Fellow status is a privilege to bear the FACHE credentials, which signify board certification in healthcare management. Only 8,866 healthcare executives hold this distinction.
Ward also recently was named a Top Hospital Marketer of the Year by Xpectives.Health, a lead-
ing conference, training, and publishing company for the consumer marketing of hospitals, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare products. She joined only 25 recipients from
the Northeast to receive the award. Honorees were judged based on industry reputation, accomplishments, innova- tion, and notoriety among their peers, partners, and media.
At Baystate Health, Ward oversees marketing, digital/ web, communications, social media, creative services, loy- alty programs, and special events at the Springfield-based health system, which includes hospitals in Springfield, Greenfield, Palmer, and Westfield, along with more than 100 medical practices at some 80 locations throughout Western Mass.
Ward holds an MBA with a marketing concentration from UConn and a bachelor’s degree from the University of New Hampshire. She has served as an adjunct profes- sor in the Master of Health Administration program at Western Connecticut State University and Marlboro Col- lege in Vermont. She is a member of American College of Healthcare Executives, the Society for Healthcare Strategy & Market Development, and the Healthcare Executives Forum.
MHA’s Lee Joins Advisory Board of Women’s Correctional Center
SPRINGFIELD — Kimberley Lee, vice president of Re- source Development and Branding for the Mental Health Assoc. Inc. (MHA), has accepted Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi’s invitation to join his newly created Commu- nity Advisory Board to provide long-range planning and support for the Western Massachusetts Regional Women’s Correctional Center in Chicopee.
The regional correctional facility houses both pre-trial and sentenced women primarily from Hampden, Hamp- shire, Worcester, and Berkshire counties and offers a range of integrated clinical services and specialized programs that address rehabilitation. Cocchi outlined the board’s mission as one of developing long-range planning for the facility and building relationships and resources to assist women as they re-enter the community.
Lee, who joined MHA in 2018 as its first vice president of Resource Development, is well-known for her work in the nonprofit sector. She previously served in communica- tions and development roles for several other locally based nonprofit organizations, including CHD, Square One, the Basketball Hall of Fame, and the Community United Way.
Weingart Joins Team at Berkshire Medical Center
PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Health Systems announced the appointment of Dr. Anna Weingart to the Berkshire Medical Center medical staff and the provider staff of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services of BMC. Weingart joins Drs. Katie Hatt and Nicole Payne at Physi- cal Medicine and Rehabilitation Services of BMC and is
accepting new patients in need of physiatry care.
Weingart received her medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and completed her residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at New York University School of Medicine. She provides general rehabilita-
tion services, electrodiagnostics (EMG/NCS), non-surgical musculoskeletal care, trauma rehabilitation, amputee rehabilitation, spinal-cord-injury rehabilitation, and brain- injury rehabilitation.
AMYPOWERS
DR. FADI HALABI
DR, ANNA WEINGART
JUDITH WARD
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