Day: January 15, 2019

HOLYOKE — Officials from Holyoke Community College (HCC) and Westfield State University signed a dual admission agreement this week that streamlines the process for students who want to continue their nursing educations at Westfield State after earning an associate degree in nursing at HCC. 

The RN-to-BSN completion program partnership was announced during a ceremony at HCC’s Center for Health Education on Jarvis Avenue in Holyoke, home to the college’s RN (registered nurse) and LPN (licensed practical nursing) programs and medical simulation center.

“We’re delighted to be here today and excited about this new venture to expand our existing collaboration with HCC to offer a streamlined, efficient pathway to a bachelor of science in nursing degree for HCC students,” said Westfield State University President Ramon Torrecilha. “This is important because it underscores the values of both institutions — our commitment to accessibility and our commitment to affordability.”

By granting automatic admission, the new agreement simplifies the application process for HCC nursing students who want to earn a BSN at Westfield State — and can also significantly reduce the cost for that degree. 

“We already have a really strong partnership with Westfield State, and this is an opportunity to enhance that partnership,” said HCC President Christina Royal. “It’s all for the sake of our students who need and want easier options as they move from their two-year studies to their four-year studies. Many of our students prefer Westfield State, so we want to make that transfer process as seamless as possible.”

Officials said the new program will consist mostly of online coursework with limited on-campus requirements. Applications are now being accepted for fall 2019 enrollment.

According to the agreement, graduates of HCC’s associate degree program can transfer up to 90 course credits into the BSN degree program at Westfield State. HCC students need 72 credits to complete the requirements for their associate degree in nursing.

“The total cost of the 30 nursing-degree credits for the completion program is $10,800, making the program one of the most cost-effective of its kind in the area,” said Shelley Tinkham, dean of the College of Graduate and Continuing Education at Westfield State.

Full-time students can complete the program as quickly as one year; students can also opt to complete the program on a part-time basis in 24 months.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 15% by 2026, significantly faster than the average for all occupations. Torrecilha said nursing professionals with BSN degrees will remain in high demand for the foreseeable future.

“This latest collaboration emphasizes both institutions’ commitment to growing this high-demand segment of the workforce, underscoring our mutual concern and interest in preparing future generations of nursing professionals,” he said. 

Royal cited a recent report, the “Pioneer Valley Labor Market Blueprint,” that identified health sciences as a priority sector for Western Mass.

“It’s one of the economic engines that drive our region,” she said, “so for us to stay focused on providing opportunities like these that are going to lead to vibrant jobs in this community is just going to bolster that sector of the economy.”

SPRINGFIELD — Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C. announced that Attorney Amelia Holstrom was named a partner in the firm on Jan. 1. Holstrom, who has been with the firm since 2012, focuses her practice on labor law and employment litigation, including personnel policies and practices review, wage-and-hour compliance, and separation and severance agreements.

“Amelia is renowned statewide for her legal and professional skills,” said attorney Timothy Murphy, a partner at Skoler Abbott, noting that Holstrom was a Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly Up & Coming honoree in 2017, selected to the Super Lawyers Rising Stars list in 2018, and is a regular contributor to the Massachusetts Employment Law Letter. “She helps her clients make difficult employment decisions within their legal obligations. She provides counsel to management regarding strategies to avoid litigation, but is an experienced litigator prepared to vigorously defend her clients in court when necessary. We are thrilled Amelia has accepted partnership in the firm.”

Holstrom frequently speaks about employment-related legal topics for a wide variety of associations and organizations. She was selected by BusinessWest as a 40 Under Forty honoree in 2015 and received the Massachusetts Bar Assoc. Community Service Award in 2016. She is a member of the Massachusetts, Hampden County, and Connecticut bar associations; sits on the board of directors for Clinical & Support Options in Northampton and Girls Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts; and is an ad hoc member of the personnel committee for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.

“I’m proud to be able to take on more of a leadership role for one of the region’s most vibrant, well-respected firms,” Holstrom said. “Growing up, I watched my parents, who worked in management at different companies, make challenging decisions about employees. When I took a labor law class in school, I was reminded of the myriad difficulties employers face and the laws that impact those decisions. That served as the basis for my legal career, while my work at Skoler Abbott has helped me finely hone my skills. I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue to grow with the firm.”

HAMPDEN — Andrew Anderlonis, president of Rediker Software, recently announced that Esther Rich has been hired as the company’s new director of Support. Rich brings more than 30 years of experience in customer support, with more than 10 of those years spent in a management position. Before joining Rediker Software, Rich was the Customer Support manager for Farm Credit Financial Partners in Agawam.

In her new role, Rich will lead and motivate her team to ensure they have the tools and skills required to provide the best customer service possible. She holds a business management degree from St. John’s School of Business.

“Esther brings us many years of call-center and customer-support leadership experience,” Anderlonis said, “and we are very excited to have her with Rediker to help manage our fantastic support team.”

AGAWAM — The statistics are alarming: 70% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. At work, stress over finances can take a toll on employee performance and impact productivity. Almost 10 years ago, OMG Inc. saw this as a factor limiting employee success and took action.

OMG used SmartDollar, the financial-wellness program created by money expert and best-selling author Dave Ramsey, to teach employees how to take better care of themselves financially. “This has been a game changer for us,” said Sarah Corrigan, vice president of Human Resources. “More than 300 employees have taken advantage of the tools we offer for free to create a financial plan for themselves and their families.”

Helping employees succeed financially is part of OMG’s overall wellness strategy. “Reducing the worry over money allows employees to focus on their work and, more importantly, on themselves and their future,” Corrigan said. Using SmartDollar, the average OMG participant pays off more than $8,000 in debt and saves more than $5,000. Collectively, participants have achieved a positive swing of almost $1 million through debt reduction and savings contributions.

As a result, SmartDollar recognized OMG as its 2018 Company of the Year. “Our team absolutely loved hearing about what’s happening at OMG,” said Brian Hamilton, vice president of SmartDollar. “They did it. They made the kind of behavior change it takes to change their lives and their family’s futures.”

Added Hubert McGovern, OMG president and CEO, “we’re very proud of what our employees have accomplished. There’s nothing more satisfying for us as a business than to help our employees succeed not only professionally, but personally as well.”