Picture This

Survivors, physicians, and supporters alike convened at the annual Greater Pioneer Valley Heart Ball on March 3 at the Log Cabin Banquet and Meeting House in Holyoke. Above, Graig Rydin, CEO of Yankee Candle Company and winner of the 2006 Heart of Gold Award is seen with, from left, Linda and Brent Rydin and Lauren Ayers.

At left, Howard Ledewitz, M.D. holds the Ralph Gianelly, M.D. award, which is named after the individual considered the father of the Cardiology Program at Baystate Medical Center, who died in 2002.

Dr. Rob Matthews and Kim Cartelli-Matthews view some of the items auctioned off at the ball.

Allison Belanger, account executive for The Healthcare News, poses with Heart Ball Chair Robert Cartelli, owner of Fathers and Sons Porsche, Saab, Audi, and Volvo. The Healthcare News was honored as a media sponsor.

Franklin Medical Center’s Social Work staff celebrated National Social Work Month during March. National Social Work Month is sponsored by the National Association of Social Workers. This year’s theme – Life’s Journey: Help Starts Here – focused on how social workers help all people at every stage of life, while promoting dignity for everyone, especially the most vulnerable among us. Pictured are Lynn Marcus-Cohen, LICSW, Geropsych Program; Maureen Blackmore, LICSW, Beacon Intensive Outpatient Program; Helen Lincoln-White, LCSW, CADAC, Partial Hospitalization and Beacon Court Programs; Jeana Livingstone, LSW, Hospital Case Management; Marla Killough, LICSW, Medical Social Work; Janet Curley, LICSW, Inpatient Mental Health Unit; Leah Berkowitz, Smith College Intern, Inpatient Mental Health; Jim Gardner, LICSW, Partial Hospitalization Program; Kim Mohlar, LICSW, Partial Hospitalization Program; Michael Stiles, LCSW, Inpatient Mental Heath Unit; Anna Morrison, LICSW, Inpatient Mental Health Unit; Dawn Geller, Smith College Intern, Inpatient Mental Health Unit; Vicki Sutton, LCSW, Oncology.

Athol Memorial Hospital was recently designated as a primary stroke center. Gathered here is Athol Memorial Hospital’s multidisciplinary stroke team (back row, left to right) Jacinta Leavitt, RN, Emergency Department; Kathy Ledford, RN, Emergency Department; John Skrzypczak, MD, Director of Emergency Medicine (front row, left to right); Shelley Robertson, MT, Laboratory Services Manager; Gary Wheeler, RT, Radiology Services Manager; Peg St. Amand, RPH, Pharmacy Services Manager; and team leader John Thayer, RN, Emergency Department Nurse Manager

Holyoke City Councilor Lillian Santiago welcomes guests to the grand opening celebration of Holyoke Health Center’s expansive new facility in downtown Holyoke on Feb. 6.

Guest speaker Joe Flatley poses with HHC Executive Director Jay Breines.