Picture This

Expanding the Talent Pool

The Nurse Aide/Home Health Aide Program operated by Training Resources of America Inc. (TRA) recently graduated 13 students. They include, left to right: back row, Daisy Lopez, Sara Herra; middle row, Jeolitha Campbell, Knisha Haynes, Sandra Vila, Iveliz Alvarado, Erica Hernandez, Judy Edwards; front row, Shawntay Cruz, Cheryl Padmore, Keila Santiago, Marie-Ange LaRoche; and Cawanna Newson-Sheppard, not pictured. The program provides a combination of Massachusetts state-certified nurse-aide, CPR, and home-health-aide training to residents of Springfield, Holyoke, Chicopee, and surrounding towns, enabling them to learn new skills, develop self-confidence, and successfully transition into the workplace. It also provides a pool of qualified applicants to meet the need of local area nursing homes and medical facilities to hire trained nursing assistants and home health aides. The program is a collaborative venture between Training Resources of America’s Holyoke office and Wingate Healthcare in West Springfield.

Reason to Celebrate

The Baystate Mary Lane Hospital Auxiliary recently sponsored an Anniversary High Tea held at the Ware Senior Center. More than 60 community members attended this event, which celebrated the hospital’s 100th anniversary. The menu of tea sandwiches, special desserts, and assorted teas complemented tables decorated with linen and fine china, flowers, and vintage photographs of Baystate Mary Lane Hospital. Picture are auxiliary members (from left) Amelia Harringtion, Georgette Korzec, Rachael Collard, Ruth Nordhausen, and Marjorie Muri.

Community Connections

State Rep. Brian Ashe (D-Longmeadow) recently visited the Jewish Geriatric Services Campus and offered his insights in an open forum with Ruth’s House residents. Following his remarks, the lawmaker fielded questions on health care, funding for the local senior center, his recent vote on state holidays, and Massachusetts’ strategy for homeland security. Ashe (third from left) is pictured here with Ruth’s House residents (from left) Milton Temkin, David Cohen, and Lillian Mandell.