Picture This

Stroke of Inspiration

Two stroke experts from Holyoke Medical Center addressed a group of both health professionals and laypeople at the luncheon series Food for Thought, sponsored by The Healthcare News every month at Pazzo restaurant in Springfield. Among other topics, Dr. Zubair Kareem, neurologist and medical director of the HMC Stroke Service, discussed the prevalence of stroke — the third-leading cause of death in the U.S. — and risk factors ranging from age, gender, and race to high blood pressure, obesity, and smoking. Angela Smith, RN and stroke coordinator at the hospital, then talked about HMC’s designation as a “stroke center of excellence,” a status granted to hospitals that follow a set protocol to treat stroke patients within a certain amount of time. The next Food for Thought event, on Oct. 21 at 11:45 a.m., will feature Dr. Steven Schonholz, medical director of the Breast Care Center at Mercy Medical Center. The cost is $15 and includes lunch. To register, call Melissa Hallock at (413) 781-8600, ext. 10.

Climbing the Ladder

Certified nursing assistants who completed the 2009 Rona and Mike Chase Clinical Ladder Program at Jewish Geriatric Services take time for a photo with those who made the continuing-education program possible. Pictured are, front row, left to right, Keila Moyet; Gertha Fergile; Rona Chase, donor; standing, left to right, Ellen Furman, director of Staff Education; Shasta Daniels; Ruth Ortiz; Karyn Hoskins; Barbara Macdonald, director of Professional Practice and Nursing Outcomes; and Tammy Sikorski.

Memory Stroll

A “purple pathway” of balloons framed a parade of 90 seniors, caregivers, volunteers and staff led by JGS Chairman of the Board of Directors Michael Hurwitz on JGS Alzheimer’s Memory Stroll around the beautiful Jewish Geriatric Services campus. Hurwitz was the grand marshal of this Third Annual Stroll and is pictured above with Ginny Sinkoski of the Alzheimer’s Association of Massachusetts. Jewish Geriatric Services Alzheimer’s Memory Stroll is held to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and generate support for the Massachusetts Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk. The entire campus gets in the spirit; at left, staff members Dianne Cusson, left, and Cheryl Gumlaw showcase the quilt made by family members to be raffled and hand crafted chocolates for sale for this good cause.