HCN News & Notes

Pierno Named Director of HMC’s New Wound Care Center

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Medical Center has appointed Amy Pierno as the program director of the hospital’s new Wound Care Center, which will open in August.

Pierno brings extensive experience in acute and outpatient wound care and treatment. She will be establishing operational processes for Wound Care Center staff as well as lead the center’s outreach, including educating hospital staff and local physicians as to accessing wound care services that will be available to patients five days a week.

“Amy Pierno is a welcome addition to HMC. She possesses an impressive skill set and track record in establishing and operating Wound Care Centers in the community setting,” said Spiros Hatiras, president and CEO of Holyoke Medical Center and Valley Health Systems Inc. “HMC’s Wound Care Center is a strategic priority for us as we look to be the Pioneer Valley’s healthcare provider of choice.”

“As our population ages, and an increasing number of patients are diagnosed with chronic diseases, we must stay ahead of the curve in the way we deliver care,” said Pierno. “I am excited to be working with a highly qualified team of healthcare professionals skilled in the most advanced therapies and treatment which lead to faster healing from the inside out.”

HMC’s Wound Care Center will be located at 18 Hospital Dr. in Holyoke, and staffed with a physician, hyperbaric technician, wound care nurse and nurse manager, with Pierno serving as program director. The center’s offerings include two hyperbaric oxygen chambers that will treat patients with serious wounds, including diabetic foot ulcers, damaging radiation treatment and bone infections.

Licensed to practice physical therapy in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and a certified wound specialist by the American Board Wound Management (ABWM), Pierno is a recipient of Accelecare Wound Center’s 2014 MVP Award, where she was one of six directors recognized nationwide for leadership, quality, accountability, teamwork and excellence. She also serves as Director on the ABWM Board of Directors, is an ABWM CWCA Exam Committee Leader as well as an American Physical Therapy Association Certified Clinical Instructor.

Pierno was most recently the program director at the Accelecare Wound Centers and Baystate Franklin Wound and HBO Center in Greenfield. Prior to that, she served as a clinical specialist for CWS-Wound Care at Stamford Hospital in Stamford Conn. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Sports Medicine from Merrimack College and a Master of Science degree in Physical Therapy from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Conn.