Year: 2017

SPRINGFIELD — New England Breath Technologies, a medical-device startup company formed by Western New England University professors Dr. Ronny Priefer and Dr. Michael Rust, won the People’s Choice Award recently at the annual M2D2 $100K Challenge.

The Massachusetts Medical Device Development Center (M2D2) recently held its sixth annual $100K Challenge, a nationwide competition that showcases the innovative ideas of early-stage medical devices and start-up biotech companies. Its aim is to help new biotech and medical-device entrepreneurs develop products every step of the way, from proof of concept to commercialization.

“By winning the People’s Choice Award, it puts our new company, Breath Technologies, into the spotlight of innovation,” Preifer said. “We expect this recognition will trigger more investors to take a closer look at our breathalyzer, and invest in the company.”

Priefer and  Rust have developed a hand-held breathalyzer that allows individuals to painlessly check their blood-glucose levels. Instead of the traditional finger-stick testing, patients blow into a breathalyzer to detect the acetone levels in their breath, which have been linked to high blood glucose. With this information, patients can determine if they need to take insulin.

“Our goal is to help startups gain valuable services needed during the tenuous beginning stages of product development,” said Stephen McCarthy, UMass Lowell professor and director of M2D2. “Access to premium labs and other resources, along with experts and mentors, can make the difference between failure and success. We hope emerging companies from across the country will benefit from the M2D2 $100K Challenge.”

Added Rust, “we’re thrilled at the level of excitement our product received at the competition. This award was judged and selected by our peers, by the other 50 plus entrepreneurs in the competition, and we feel hopeful our startup company will continue to grow.”

Since it was founded in 2007, M2D2 has worked with more than 100 client companies, which in turn have secured more than $40 million in external funding for their ventures.

SPRINGFIELD — There’s still time to nominate someone for the Continued Excellence Award, as BusinessWest will accept nominations through Friday, May 12. The winner of the award will be unveiled at the magazine’s 40 Under Forty gala on June 22.

Two years ago, BusinessWest inaugurated the award to recognize past 40 Under Forty honorees who had significantly built on their achievements since they were honored. The first two winners were Delcie Bean, president of Paragus Strategic IT, and Dr. Jonathan Bayuk, president of Allergy and Immunology Associates of Western Mass. and chief of Allergy and Immunology at Baystate Medical Center. Both were originally named to the 40 Under Forty class of 2008.

“So many 40 Under Forty honorees have refused to rest on their laurels,” said Kate Campiti, associate publisher of BusinessWest. “Once again, we want to honor those who continue to build upon their strong records of service in business, within the community, and as regional leaders.”

Candidates must hail from 40 Under Forty classes prior to the year of the award — in this case, classes 2007-16 — and will be judged on qualities including outstanding leadership, dedicated community involvement, professional achievement, and ability to inspire. The award’s presenting sponsor is Northwestern Mutual.

The nomination form is available at businesswest.com/40-under-forty/40-under-forty-continued-excellence-award. For your convenience, a list of the past nine 40 Under Forty classes may be found at businesswest.com/40-under-forty/40-under-forty-past-honorees.

AMHERST — As part of their ongoing support of local communities, Subaru of America Inc. and Steve Lewis Subaru recently presented a check for $56,465 to the Relay for Life. The Relay for Life was selected by Steve Lewis Subaru as its ‘hometown charity’ choice in Subaru’s Share the Love program.

From Nov. 17, 2016 to Jan. 3, 2017, customers who purchased or leased a new Subaru vehicle selected from a list of charities to receive a donation of $250 from Subaru of America. This year, for the first time throughout the life of the program, there was no cap on the total donation from Subaru of America to its Share the Love charitable partners. By the end of this year’s event, Subaru hopes to reach a grand total of nearly $90 million donated since the creation of Share the Love.

For 2016, Subaru of America selected the national charities — ASPCA, Make-A-Wish, Meal on Wheels America, and the National Park Foundation — while Subaru retailers could also elect to add a local charity to help support their community. Steve Lewis Subaru selected Relay for Life and listed it as an organization that customers could select to receive the 2016 Subaru Share the Love donation.

GREENFIELD — Today, April 12, the Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC), formerly the Connecticut River Watershed Council, will host a launch party to officially kick off the next era of the organization. Community members from any of the four Connecticut River states are invited to join CRC staff, trustees, and members to learn more about this change and celebrate this unique moment in the organization’s history. The free, family-friendly event will be held at the Arts Block, 289 Main St., Greenfield, from 4 to 7 p.m. Event participants will enjoy live music, refreshments, cash bar, photo booth, and more.

The Connecticut River Conservancy, founded in 1952, is headquartered in Greenfield. This year, it celebrates 65 years of serving the entire Connecticut River and its watershed, which includes tributary rivers and streams throughout Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.

“Our rivers are a public resource — they literally belong to all of us, and we are all entrusted with their care,” said CRC Executive Director Andrew Fisk. “But they won’t stay clean and full of life simply because we want them to. It will take all of us working together to preserve and protect them. If you care about the future of our rivers, we invite you to join us. Your rivers need you now more than ever.”

To learn more about CRC, or to join the effort and help protect the region’s rivers, visit www.ctriver.org.

CHICOPEE — Those who would like to learn more about ServiceNet’s Shared Living program for adults with developmental disability or brain injury are invited to attend an informational session on Monday, April 24 at 6 p.m. at 355 Front St., Chicopee. Current providers will discuss their experience with the Shared Living program, and ServiceNet’s staff will provide application details for those who are interested in becoming a provider.

Shared Living gives program participants the opportunity to live with people in the community who have chosen to open their homes and provide needed structure and support. Matches are often made based on interests shared by hosts and participants — from art, music, and sports to volunteering.

ServiceNet provides hosts with training and ongoing support in their work with people who often struggle with some of the daily tasks of living. Hosts are paid a monthly, tax-free stipend for their time, and they receive funds to cover the individual’s living expenses.

ServiceNet offers services and programs throughout Western and Central Mass., providing individualized, effective mental health-care and human services.

SPRINGFIELD — New England has named Mary Elizabeth (Beth) O’Brien president of Mercy Medical Center and its affiliates for an interim period while a national search is conducted. In this role, she will be responsible for the operational performance of Mercy Medical Center; provide leadership in the execution, management, financial performance and oversight of all hospital operations; and explore opportunities for growth through strategic development initiatives across the system.

With healthcare leadership experience that spans almost four decades, O’Brien has held a number of executive positions, including president and CEO, chief operating officer, executive vice president, and vice president of nursing in a variety of predominately Catholic health systems across the country. Most recently, she served as CEO and chief operating officer for PeaceHealth in Vancouver, Wash., a $2 billion, not-for-profit Catholic healthcare organization that operates 10 hospitals, medical clinics, and laboratories within Alaska, Oregon, and Washington.

O’Brien has also served as senior vice president of operations and group executive officer for Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI), a Colorado-based healthcare organization with 12 hospitals in four states. While at CHI, she developed a clinically integrated network in four markets, created the system’s first managed-care strategy and operations group, and served as national leader for integration for all CHI growth initiatives. Prior to CHI, she served as managing director for healthcare at Navigant Consulting in Chicago, as president and CEO for Baptist Health System in Birmingham, Ala., and as a senior vice president for CIGNA HealthCare in Hartford, Conn.

“Beth is a proven leader with the skills to realize the vision of our organization and achieve our financial goals through creative and collaborative partnerships. Her expertise and experience will allow her to work collaboratively with colleagues throughout Mercy to provide the best in health and healing for our communities and with the Trinity Health – New England executive leadership team to support the entire region,” said Christopher Dadlez, president and CEO of Trinity Health – New England.

O’Brien received her RN degree from Phoenix College School of Nursing in Arizona. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in health administration and an MBA from the University of Phoenix in Arizona. Her numerous professional and civic affiliations include serving on the boards of directors of the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Central Alabama, Covenant House in Los Angeles, Seton Institute in San Francisco, and the Catholic Health Assoc. in St. Louis. In 2004, she was named to Modern Healthcare magazine’s list of the “100 Most Powerful People in Healthcare.”

SOUTH HADLEY — The board of directors for the South Hadley & Granby Chamber of Commerce announced Mariann Millard as its new executive director. She brings diverse experience in project management, customer service, tourism, and communications. Her most recent career experience has been as a licensed Washington, D.C. tour guide and as a certified tour director working in Italy for Tauck, an international tour-operator company.

Millard is a co-chair of the upcoming River Roll & Stroll festival in May, a collaborative event between Holyoke and South Hadley. She also chairs the Bike-Walk Advisory Committee and is a member of South Hadley Know Your Town.

When asked about her immediate goals for her new role, Millard said she’s looking forward to promoting the chamber’s ability to be more proactive and creative in fostering collaborative business relationships, not only between South Hadley and Granby, the two towns the chamber serves, but throughout the Pioneer Valley.

“The chamber has good bones, as several people have told me, and I absolutely agree with them,” she said. “The board and I have already begun to work on tapping into its amazing potential to better serve its members and the business climate in our communities.”

AGAWAM — Anytime Fitness, a 24-hour, adult-only fitness club in Agawam, is organizing a fund-raising event over a period of 24 hours. The 24-hour Sweat-a-Thon is a twist on the 24/7 schedule that Anytime Fitness is open for business, as well as a reminder that cancer never sleeps, and too many people bravely battle the disease 24/7.

All funds raised at this event — slated for Friday, April 28 at 5 p.m. until Saturday, April 29 at 5 p.m., will benefit the American Cancer Society and the Relay for Life of Agawam.

For 24 hours, the facility will have two bikes, two treadmills, and two elliptical machines available for people to reserve. Participants can purchase 30-minute time slots on one of the machines, for a donation of $10 each.

Since working out is more fun with friends, Anytime Fitness encourages people to sign up with a friend and work out together. Time slots are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. And the event is open to everyone in Agawam and its surrounding communities, not just Anytime Fitness members.

“The goal of this event is to support the fighters, admire the survivors, and honor the taken,” said Marie Ball, owner of Anytime Fitness in Agawam and organizer of the event. “We are passionate about getting people to a healthier place and guiding them in their fitness and wellness journeys. We’re here to support, encourage, and motivate others as they work to achieve all of their goals.”

To participate in this fund-raising event and/or inquire about membership options, call Anytime Fitness at (413) 786-7800, e-mail [email protected], or visit www.anytimefitness.com.

EASTHAMPTON — After nearly three years at the helm of the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts, Elizabeth Barajas-Román will step down as CEO at the end of March in order to take an appointment as the new CEO of the Solidago Foundation, a Northampton-based national organization.

The Women’s Fund board of directors has appointed long-time supporter and strategy consultant Irma González, to serve as interim CEO.

“The Women’s Fund plays a unique role in building the strength of women in communities across our region. It is an honor to partner with the Fund’s board and staff to build on the gains of the last few years and steward this critical resource until a new leader takes the reins,” said González.

González was a member of the Women’s Fund’s most recent strategic planning committee, and is principal of Zoen Resources, where she specializes in change and transition management in support of social justice and human-rights advocacy. Barajas-Román will support the transition through ongoing consultation for the organization’s strategic initiatives. Springfield-based United Personnel will lead the search process for the permanent CEO, which will open in early April.

“Elizabeth’s vision and leadership has elevated our Women’s Fund to new heights, helping to build strong and powerful partnerships regionally and nationally,” said Layla Taylor, Women’s Fund board chair. “She will be greatly missed by the staff, board, donors, and our partners. However, we are also excited about the potential we have to gain a new national partner through her leadership at the Solidago Foundation. We are thrilled for the fund’s future and the amazing legacy the next CEO will inherit.”

During her tenure, Barajas-Román played a critical role in the development and continued success of the Women’s Fund. In partnership with the board leadership and staff, she led the organization to three consecutive years of fund-raising growth, a 300% increase in social-media visibility, a new three-year strategic plan, and a move of the organization’s headquarters to the renovated Innovation Center in downtown Springfield. The Women’s Fund also worked with the Obama Administration as part of the national Prosperity Together coalition.

More recently, the Women’s Fund launched two groundbreaking partnerships: one with Bay Path University to offer academic credit to the Women’s Fund leadership program (LIPPI) participants, and the other with the Partnership for Young Women’s Progress, a multi-sector initiative that, with lead support from the MassMutual Foundation, will help create an economic-prosperity blueprint for young women in Springfield.

“It is with deep gratitude and respect for all those connected to the Women’s Fund that I pass the torch,” Barajas-Román said. “Although this is a period of transition, it is also a very exciting time for the Fund.”

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Curry Printing announced the addition of FASTSIGNS to its business location. Curry Printing and FASTSIGNS will operate together, under one roof, at 91 Union St. in West Springfield, with the same staff and the same owner.

FASTSIGNS has more than 650 centers operating in the U.S., U.K., and beyond, specializing in all types of visual communications. “Signs have been a growth area for Curry Printing,” said owner Stephen Lang. “We’ve decided to take it to another level with FASTSIGNS.”

Curry Printing opened in 1976 and has been serving the West Springfield and Greater Springfield area ever since. “We will continue to offer the best in printing and duplicating services while opening up all kinds of sign services for our customers, including vehicle graphics, directional signs, dimensional signs, and even digital signs,” Lang said. “We will be a full-service visual communication solution for our business customers.”

Curry Printing and FASTSIGNS can be reached by calling (413) 785-1363 or on the web at curry-printing.com or fastsigns.com/2181.

CHICOPEE — James Kelly, president of Polish National Credit Union, announced that Pamela Sanborn has joined the credit union as assistant manager of the Westfield branch.

Sanborn has almost 20 years of financial-services experience, most recently as retirement service specialist with Westfield Bank. She has also held branch officer positions with Berkshire Bank, Legacy Banks, and the Bank of Western Massachusetts.

She holds N.M.L.S. certification, studied at Saint John’s School of Business, and completed training with the Center for Financial Training and Massachusetts Mortgage Bankers.

During her professional career, Sanborn has been the recipient of Employee of the Month and President’s Club awards. She has also received recognition for outstanding customer service.

Active in charitable and civic causes, Sanborn is a volunteer and team captain for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and a volunteer with Aplastic Anemia and PNH support and awareness initiatives. She also devotes time to the Westfield Food Pantry Community Garden. Her other involvements include the Chamber of Commerce and Rebuilding Springfield.

“Pamela is an outstanding addition to our Westfield team,” said Kelly. “Her strong financial-services background, leadership skills, and focus on exceptional customer service are all desirable qualities that will transfer well to her new position with Polish National Credit Union.”

SPRINGFIELD — Glenmeadow will present a panel of political analysts who will lead a discussion on Friday, April 21 about President Trump’s actions in office thus far. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to noon at Sleith Hall’s Wood Auditorium at Western New England University, 1215 Wilbraham Road, Springfield.

The election of Trump as the 45th president of the U.S. polarized the country. In Glenmeadow’s program, called “The First 100 Days: Governing Across the Great Divide,” the panel will look at Trump’s first 100 days in office and discuss his performance on topics including domestic and foreign policy, healthcare, immigration, polling, and media coverage.

Political analyst Bill Scher, a contributing editor to Politico and the founder of the blog liberaloasis.com, will serve as moderator. Other panelists will include Tim Vercellotti, professor of Political Science at Western New England University and director of the New England Polling Institute; political consultant Tony Cignoli; Ron Chimelis, a columnist for the Republican; and Marie Angelides, an immigration attorney with her own firm and chair of the Longmeadow Select Board.

The program is free, but seating is limited, and registration is required. To register, call (413) 567-7800 or e-mail [email protected]. Visit glenmeadow.org/learning for more information.

Glenmeadow Learning is one of many free programs Glenmeadow offers to members of the wider community. These programs represent one facet of the life-plan community’s mission to serve seniors across the region and to operate as a socially accountable organization.

SPRINGFIELD — Single-family home sales were down 23.3% in the Pioneer Valley in February compared to the same time last year, while the median price was up 3.2% to $180,000, according to the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley.

In Franklin County, sales were down 31.3%, while the median price fell 25.4% from a year earlier. In Hampden County, sales were down 21.9%, while the median price was up 3.8%. And in Hampshire County, sales fell 13.0% from February 2016, while the median price was down 4.7%.

NORTHAMPTON — The Speaker Sisterhood, a network of public-speaking clubs for women with clubs in Springfield, Amherst, and South Hadley, is adding two new clubs in Northampton and Greenfield for women who want to become more confident speakers.

Both new clubs will be having open houses. The Northampton open house will be held on Thursday, April 6 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Click Workspace at 9 1/2 Market St., and will be led by Cathy McNally, a corporate communication trainer with a background in stand-up and improv comedy. The Greenfield open house will take place on Tuesday, April 18 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 170 Main St., and will be led by documentarian and communication coach Carlyn Saltman, innovator of the coaching method known as Video Mirror Feedback.

Angela Lussier, CEO of Speaker Sisterhood, says that the mission of the clubs is to provide a community for “women who want to increase confidence, boost public-speaking skills, have fun, and maybe even change the world.” Lussier, a well-known public speaker and author of three books, added that “each Speaker Sisterhood club is more than just a place to practice speaking in front of a group. It’s a tribe of women who are supporting and empowering each other to follow their dreams by building confidence in their voice.”

According to McNally, who is also the Speaker Sisterhood program development director, the program uses interactive activities, humor, and other tools that engage women at all skill levels. “We draw on fun exercises from the comedy world to make sure women have a blast at our meetings. At our open houses, guests can get a sense right away of the lively and supportive atmosphere we create together.”

According to Saltman, women can attend two club meetings for free before deciding to join. “We want to give every woman who visits a chance to see if the club is a good match for them.” Saltman said the group covers the topics that meet the needs of most public speakers: storytelling, persuasion, humor, body language, and thinking on one’s feet.

“Women are a powerful force in our world, and we want to bring them together to help them better articulate their ideas, stories, and views. We believe that is exactly what the world needs right now,” said Lussier of the Speaker Sisterhood, which formed in 2016, has several clubs in Western Mass., and is expected to expand nationwide in 2017.