People on the Move

Mark Fulco has been named president of Mercy Medical Center, effective October 9. In this role, he will be responsible for the operational performance of the hospital; provide leadership in the execution, management, financial performance, and oversight of all hospital operations; and explore opportunities for growth through strategic development initiatives. “Mark is a highly respected, highly engaged healthcare leader with extensive experience in various areas of hospital operations. We are certain he will not only help sustain our rich legacy of providing high-quality care with a compassionate touch, he will also help us reach new levels of service to our community,” said John Sjoberg, board chair of Mercy Medical Center. Fulco returns to Mercy after spending the past two years at Trinity Health’s corporate office in Livonia, Mich., where he served as system vice president for Health Ministries and System Office Communication Interface. Reporting to the president and chief operating officer of Trinity Health and group executive vice presidents, he provided operational leadership in developing and communicating deployment of initiatives, served as the communication liaison between regional CEOs and the system office, coordinated several operations leadership councils, and led several special projects, including the creation of operations reports and updates to the Trinity Health operating model. “Mark is a strong, strategic leader with deep ties to health care in New England, and we are pleased he’s returning to Springfield to lead our ongoing transformation to people-centered care,” said Ben Carter, executive vice president for Trinity Health. Fulco first joined the Mercy team in 2005 as senior vice president of Strategy and Marketing and a member of the senior leadership team. In 2015, he was additionally named chief transformation officer to reflect his growing list of responsibilities around population-health management and value-based contracting. During his decade at Mercy, Fulco was instrumental in the success of several important initiatives, such as creation of the Mercy Care Alliance clinically integrated network and the Accountable Care Organization of New England. He also served as Mercy’s Integration Management Office lead for the CHE-Trinity consolidation and played a key role in building the partnership that resulted in Saint Francis Care joining Trinity Health. “We are thrilled to welcome Mark back to Mercy Medical Center. He is a visionary leader with unparalleled business acumen, exceptional creative ability, unwavering dedication to our mission, and tremendous enthusiasm — traits that will undoubtedly serve us well as he takes on this important role,” said Christopher Dadlez, president and CEO of Trinity Health of New England. Prior to joining Mercy, Fulco served as vice president of Strategic Marketing and Business Development for Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford, Conn. His previous roles include serving as president of a healthcare-management-services organization and as senior vice president of a national disease-management company. Fulco is the recipient of the 2010 American College of Healthcare Executives Management Innovation Poster Session Award for “A Successful Micro-Accountable Care Organization as a Model for Evolving Payment Reform in Massachusetts.” A former member of the board of the Springfield Performing Arts Development Corp. and the board of East Catholic High School in Manchester, Conn., he is a USA Hockey official and member of the officiating instructor staff. Fulco holds a master’s degree from the Barney School of Business and Public Administration at the University of Hartford, where he was a Woodruff fellow, and a bachelor’s degree from Clark University, where he was a Travelli scholar.

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WGBY’s local current-affairs show, Connecting Point, has a new host — who also happens to be a past one. Beginning with forthcoming Season 8, Carrie Saldo, an award-winning journalist with nearly a decade of public-media experience, will return to public television to present timely stories from Western New England on the PBS station’s flagship news and current-affairs program. Saldo served as WGBY’s Connecting Point host from 2010 to 2013, presenting most of the show’s eight-minute segments and co-producing the half-hour program at large. During her tenure, Saldo conducted hundreds of in-studio interviews, traveled to Haiti following the 2010 earthquake, and hiked parts of the Appalachian Trail in a special in-the-field series. Saldo’s return to the local PBS station comes on the heels of Jim Madigan’s retirement. Madigan headed up WGBY’s public-affairs efforts for nearly 30 years. WGBY Deputy General Manager Lynn Page said Saldo was an obvious choice for the job. “Carrie Saldo is the perfect addition to our team,” Page says. “She worked closely with Jim Madigan in the past and knows the region and its leadership very well. Carrie cares deeply for western New England. She understands the people, traditions, and cultures. She will continue Jim’s legacy as well as the mission of WGBY to connect the people of our region.” WGBY General Manager Anthony Hayes added that Saldo will advance the station’s commitment to reliable local news and current-affairs coverage. “Public media is a trusted source for information,” he said. “It’s extremely important that our current-affairs team lives up to the PBS reputation and provides Western New England with the content it expects from us. I have full confidence that Carrie Saldo will produce and deliver that quality local content to viewers.” For Saldo’s part, the return to local public media is a welcome one. “I am honored to dive in and uncover the stories that need to be told in this region,” she said. “Excellent journalism is the result of carefully listening. I’m here. Share your thoughts, ideas, comments, and concerns. Let’s shed light on the issues that matter most to you and work toward strengthening this area that we call home.”

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Elms College has appointed a new director of diversity and inclusion, as well as a new director of tutoring services, rounding out the staff in the college’s new Center for Student Success. The new director of diversity and inclusion is Alaina DiGiorgio. She will work with students, faculty, and staff to foster a more welcoming and inclusive community at Elms College. She has presented at numerous conferences on topics related to the intersection of race and athletics, and worked at the University of Tennessee. She was also a member of the Multicultural Mentorship program and ad hoc diversity committee at the University of Tennessee. Prior to that, she founded Women Empowering (WE) to strengthen community and support for female athletes at Western Illinois University, which is where she also earned her bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and her master’s degree in sport management. The new director of tutoring services is Regina Tillona, an experienced educator who has worked to promote achievement for all learners. She most recently served as Title I director at Massachusetts Virtual Academy in Greenfield, where she created opportunities for students to explore the world as knowledgeable, creative, and thoughtful individuals. Prior to that, she worked as district coordinator at Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School District and director of tutoring at New Leadership Charter School in Springfield. Tillona received her bachelor’s degree in education and history from Westfield State University, and her master of education degree from Western New England University.

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The Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts recently welcomed Donna Haghighat as its new CEO. She comes to the Women’s Fund with more than 12 years of experience developing programs, cultivating relationships, fund-raising, directing communications strategy, creating strategic plan, and building advocacy programs. Most recently principal at the Collabyrinth Collective, LLC, Haghighat’s previous roles have included executive director of the Aurora Women & Girl’s Foundation, chief engagement and advocacy officer for YWCA Hartford Region, a strategic consultant, chief development officer for Hartford Public Library, interim director and grants/program manager of the Women’s Education and Leadership Fund, and co-president of AAUW CT. “I am thrilled to join the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts at this pivotal time,” Haghighat said. “Together with our amazing board, staff, donors, funders, volunteers, and program participants, we build stronger communities and organizations when women lead.”

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Facial Cosmetic & Maxillofacial Surgery, P.C. announced the promotion of Leslie Leone to clinical nurse supervisor. “Leslie has been an outstanding student, employee, nurse, and professional,” said Practice Administrator Fredrika Ballard. “We have enjoyed being part of her professional development over the past eight years. We feel honored to have such a wonderful, caring, and talented nurse to lead our team and take exceptional care of our patients.” Leone joined the practice in 2009 as a licensed dental assistant after graduating from Porter & Chester. She was hired to work exclusively with owner Dr. Richard Fraziero at the East Longmeadow location. After working alongside Fraziero for a few years, he encouraged her to further her education to become a registered nurse. She completed pre-requisites at Springfield Technical Community College and transferred to American International College, graduating from AIC in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in nursing, and became an RN at Facial Cosmetic & Maxillofacial Surgery. In addition to her eight years in the oral-surgery field, Leone is also DAANCE-, ACLS-, and CPR-certified. She is involved in pre- and post- surgery direct patient care, as well as managing medication inventory for in-office surgeries, code preparation, and readiness. Her new position as clinical nurse supervisor allows her to use her wide-ranging skills to oversee the entire clinical department. “I enjoy providing patient-centered care on a daily basis while also mentoring the clinical staff,” she said.

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After nearly five years as president and CEO of DevelopSpringfield, Jay Minkarah announced his upcoming resignation to assume leadership of a regional planning commission in New Hampshire. “I have truly appreciated the opportunity to help play a role in advancing community revitalization in Springfield,” said Minkarah. “It has been an honor to be a part of what is sure to be a great renaissance for the city. There are strong community partnerships working together with great projects poised for success.” Under Minkarah’s tenure, the organization has worked to advance a series of critical economic-development and revitalization projects in Springfield. Notable projects include the purchase and remediation of a blighted property at 700 State St.; phase-one stabilization and remediation at the historic Gunn Block at the corner of Walnut and State streets; phase-one completion of the Lower Maple Business Park, including the rehabilitation of the Ansel Phelps House at 83 Maple St.; and the advancement of plans for the Springfield Innovation Center on Bridge Street. “We are grateful to Jay for the expertise he has provided and the commitment he has shown to Springfield,” said Nick Fyntrilakis, board chair. “As an organization, we have taken on some of the most challenging projects in the city in an effort to create opportunity for positive economic activity, Jay has been a driving force in our efforts thus far and has helped prepare us for future success.” DevelopSpringfield’s staff and board are working to complete transition plans with a focus on advancing its mission toward revitalization in the city of Springfield. The board will also begin a search process for a new president and CEO.

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The Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield (YPS) announced the election of Ashley Clark as president of the organization. Clark has previously served in various capacities on the board, including terms as secretary and vice president and chair of the annual YP Cup Dodgeball Tournament. “I am thankful to have an employer who understands the value of giving back — and encourages it,” said Clark, a cash-management officer at Berkshire Bank in Springfield. “I am excited to take on this new role and hope to strengthen our impact in the communities we serve. Our emerging and existing leaders need a space for mentorship, opportunity, and social engagement, and YPS plans to continue to provide that. With the organization’s first ever all-women executive committee, and a diverse board beside us, we can increase our impact over the next few years.” This year, YPS is celebrating 10 years of impact in the Greater Springfield area. Moving forward, the organization will focus on membership growth, community-driven events, and additional programing. Events to round out 2017 include Oktoberfest Third Thursday at the Munich Haus and Santacon: a Community Engagement, in partnership with the Springfield Thunderbirds.

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American International College (AIC) announced the promotions of Christopher Garrity, CPA to vice president for Finance and Jeffrey Bednarz to associate vice president for Auxiliary Services. Garrity came to AIC in 2013 from Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. in Holyoke, bringing with him 12 years of public-accounting experience. During his tenure, he has increased controls within the finance department as well as instituted technological advances to better serve the needs of the college. In recent months, Garrity has assumed additional finance and administrative responsibilities including insurance, real estate, and banking. Garrity graduated from Nichols College in Dudley with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants. Bednarz has been with AIC since 2007. During his tenure with the college, he added to his responsibilities with the campus police to become a full-time sergeant, deputy chief, safety officer, and campus-services systems administrator. He was instrumental in the growth of AIC’s access-control and video-surveillance systems. His duties include the day-to-day management of outsourced campus providers, including campus police, dining services, buildings, and grounds. In his new role, Bednarz will continue to oversee campus police, dining services, and buildings and grounds. In addition, he will oversee new construction as well as other construction projects across campus.

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Main Street Hospitality Group recently welcomed Donald Hebert, a seasoned financial manager with more than 25 years of experience, as the company’s newly appointed vice president of finance. “Donald’s extensive experience in the financial world will provide great insight for Main Street,” said Sarah Eustis, CEO of Main Street Hospitality. “He brings seasoned financial acumen and deep industry knowledge, and he truly appreciates the values we uphold at Main Street.” Hebert is responsible for all aspects of Main Street’s financial health, management and reporting, including insurance and banking oversight and relationships. In addition, he will lead in developing and implementing financial growth strategies across the board. Most recently, Hebert served as the CFO, director of corporate finance, and treasurer for Trapp Family Lodge, where he was the senior manager of the accounting, IT, and human-resources functions; assisted in attracting investors for new business ventures; and was actively involved with executive management in accruing capital for the construction of a new, multi-million-dollar brewery. Prior to that, Hebert was CFO of Bowden Hospitality Management Group, where he managed accounting, financial systems, and back-office functions for full-service hotels, including national brands such as the Holiday Inn, Hampton Inn, Radisson Hotel, and Homewood Suites. Over the span of his career, he also has served as CFO for telecommunications and aerospace firms in New England. Hebert is a graduate of the University of Maine at Orono and has a MBA degree from St. Joseph’s College in Windham, Maine.