Page 64 - Healthcare News Sep/Oct 2022

Baystate Medical Center Awards Scholarships to 26 Students
SPRINGFIELD — Twenty-six college students have been awarded a total of $26,400 in scholarships from the Baystate Springfield Educational Partnership (BSEP) to continue their pursuits to work in healthcare.
All of the awardees, who received their checks during a scholarship awards cer- emony at Baystate Medical Center on Aug. 15, are residents of Springfield and former BSEP participants.
For many of the students in BSEP, the financial barrier of obtaining higher edu- cation poses a significant challenge. BSEP works to support students with overcom- ing this challenge by providing scholar- ship funds to assist with paying for their education. Over the past 10 years, Baystate has awarded nearly $775,000 to students who have completed the BSEP program and are enrolled in a health-related pro- gram at a post-secondary institution.
BSEP has over the years provided mo- tivation, determination, and resilience to many of its students. One of the BSEP re- cipients, Suraji Omoru, a graduate student
at Brown University, where he is earning his master of public health and master of science physician assistant degrees, fought through many hurdles to stand where he is today.
“Money or no money, BSEP will always be family for life. I just got off a night shift in the pediatric intensive-care unit at Bay- state Children’s Hospital, but what keeps me going is my BSEP experience — staff being the first to tell a lot of us we could do it and showing us it’s possible.”
Daphne Muhammad, a student at Dart- mouth College, said the scholarship mon- ey would prevent her from experiencing anxiety due to her financial background
at an affluent campus. “It will increase my ability to prioritize my academics.”
Anna Lee Thompson, a former Spring- field Central High School student and now a sophomore at Smith College major- ing in biochemistry with future plans of becoming a medical research physician, added that “BSEP has been instrumental in sparking my interest in healthcare and advancing my career in the sciences.”
Other Springfield students receiving scholarships were Yarilenny Antonio, Victoria Auguste, Mekhi Bowen, Daniel Burgos, Shyan Casey, Machaela Cruz, Michael Denson, Niriani Escalante, Mere- lyn Galarza, Lanelle Garcia, Samantha Josephs, Laila Kibodya, Syllus Kudane, Jillian Lavender, Carrissa Le, Michelle
Lo, Esther Mustapha, Tien Nguyen, Nadia Nowicki, Tionne Peart, Krysta Wondolowski, Delphine Zigwati, and Mohamed Hussein.
Dr. Kevin Hinchey, senior associ-
ate dean of Education and Professor of Medicine at UMass Chan Medical School – Baystate and chief Education officer for Baystate Health, hopes BSEP students who go on to study in medical school will consider completing part of their college studies at the new UMass Chan Medical School – Baystate campus.
“In the continuum of learners from high school to medical school, nursing school, or studying to become a physi- cian assistant, for example, there are many hurdles along the way,” he said.
“The BSEP program combines with other education programs at Baystate along that continuum, such as our medical-school track with UMass Chan Medical School – Baystate, to provide a supportive, seamless transition for students in our community who have an interest in healthcare.”
The Baystate Springfield Educational Partnership builds relationships with in- terested and committed students from the city of Springfield and guides their experi- ences toward careers in healthcare. The BSEP program offers a variety of hospital- based learning experiences that provide opportunities to explore different careers, engage in more comprehensive observa- tion experiences, and prepare for potential internship or employment opportunities. Since its inception, BSEP has reached over 3,000 students, and some 450 BSEP in- ternship and work opportunities have led to more than 300 permanent employment opportunities for BSEP alumni.
Health New England Recognizes BFAIR for Worksite Health Promotion
NORTH ADAMS — BFAIR (Berkshire Family and In- dividual Resources), a human-services agency that serves individuals with developmental disabilities, autism, and acquired brain injury, has been named a 2022 Health New England Well Worth It Award recipient at the Gold level for successful worksite health promotion and employee health improvement. The award recognizes BFAIR’s com- mitment to its employees’ overall health and its achieve- ments in implementing health and wellness programs during 2021.
An effective worksite-wellness program can improve the well-being and productivity of the workforce while managing employee turnover and the rising cost of health- care. This year’s workplace-wellness activities at BFAIR
included a variety of workshops offered to employees, such as mindfulness, exercise, healthy eating, and smoking cessation. Also included were a few self-driven challenges such as a ‘Thinner by Thanksgiving’ and hydration chal- lenge. BFAIR also participated in the Berkshire 150 Chal- lenge through Berkshire Health Systems, and includes individuals served by BFAIR in its wellness program.
“Health New England is proud to recognize BFAIR
for their commitment to employee well-being by sup- porting a culture of health in the workplace,” said Katie Bruno, Public Health and Wellness Program manager for Health New England. “As the pandemic continued in 2021, BFAIR engaged employees in meaningful wellness programs to meet their critical needs and to support their
overall health, both physical and mental. The Well Worth It Award is an extension of Health New England’s mission and honors the work being done by our employer groups to improve the health and lives of the people in our com- munities.”
Laura Baran, wellness committee chair at BFAIR, added that “taking care of our team that are working hard taking care of others remains a top priority for us at BFAIR. Our wellness committee wants to ensure that they had all the tools they needed to stay well. We are honored to be rec- ognized by Health New England for our efforts.”
BHN’s Self-advocacy Groups Seeking New Members
SPRINGFIELD — Behavioral Health Network’s (BHN) two self-advocacy groups, which meet weekly in Holyoke and Westfield, are seeking new mem- bers. BHN’s self-advocacy groups are for individuals with disabilities who work together to improve their quality of life and help each other achieve goals.
The Open Door Club has been meeting as a self-advocacy group in Holyoke for
more than 30 years. The club meets on Mondays from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at 40 Bobala Road in Holyoke. Group members are from Northampton and surrounding areas who focus on learning, independent decision making, and teamwork. Members accomplish goals using hands-on activi- ties, short films, guest speakers, and open expression of ideas.
The Self Advocates are a long-es-
tablished group of individuals from all around the Westfield area who meet on Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. at 754 Rus- sell Road in Westfield. The group focuses on trusting themselves and the choices they make to enhance daily life. Goals are accomplished through encouraging self-esteem, growth, and strong com- munication skills, such as phone eti- quette, reading, sign language, and group
conversation for support. All members
in attendance vote on future meetings to ensure everyone has a voice as to how the group will meet the needs of all members. Upcoming plans for the group include guest speakers, volunteer work, elections, public awareness, and social events.
24 WWW.HEALTHCARENEWS.COM SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022