Company Notebook Departments

Company Notebook

Curry Printing Moves to Union Street
WEST SPRINGFIELD — After 37 years in the same location at 191 Elm St., Curry Printing has moved to 91 Union St. in West Springfield. Curry’s new location is larger and will offer better parking for its customers. Curry has continued to stay on top of the ever-changing world of digital printing. It offers full-color, on-demand printing of brochures, envelopes, posters, carbonless forms, booklets, manuals, and other time-sensitive projects. The shop also prints large-format display items such as banners, posters, and outdoor signs. An overhead door at the new location will enable indoor installation of vehicle graphics. Curry can still be reached at (413) 785-1363. The website is www.curry-printing.com.

AIC to Offer Program in Public Health
SPRINGFIELD — In an effort to address continuing and emerging health challenges, American International College has established a new undergraduate major in Public Health. Cesarina Thompson, dean of the AIC School of Health Sciences, said the program, which begins in the fall, builds on the school’s other successful health programs of Nursing, Physical Therapy, and Occupational Therapy. “The new Public Health major will prepare graduates to work in a variety of settings and engage in a wide range of health promotion, health protection, and disease-prevention activities,” said Thompson. “Even though the U.S. spends far more on medical care than any other nation, we rank well below many of its global counterparts and competitors on a number of health outcomes, including overall life expectancy and the incidence of preventable diseases and injuries.” At the completion of the program, Thompson said, it is expected that graduates will have the necessary knowledge of methods to assess population-wide health concerns and understanding related to the U.S. and other selected healthcare and healthcare-delivery systems. Students will also learn structures for and approaches to developing health policies and health-policy analysis. Other areas of study will include population health perspectives and the needs of vulnerable populations, social and behavioral theories applicable to health behavior and how these theories may be applied to address a variety of public health issues, and principles of epidemiology necessary to understand health and illness.

HVAC Supplier SpacePak Introduces AirCell
WESTFIELD — Leading HVAC systems supplier SpacePak recently announced the introduction of AirCell, a new hydronic product for commercial and residential applications. AirCell is a modular, compact, high-efficiency air handler that uses 30% less energy than traditional fan-based HVAC systems, the company said. SpacePak’s hydronic technology, the most efficient way to transfer energy for both heating and cooling, offers an environmentally friendly system that reduces the amount of CFCs used. Additionally, micro-zone design creates multiple precise, self-controlled areas to reduce energy and fuel usage. The systems were designed by Mestek Inc., a family of manufacturers of HVAC equipment and automated manufacturing machinery based in Westfield. John Baldasaro, director of Sales for the Residential Comfort Group at Mestek, explained that the SpacePak and AirCell systems offer an alternative to traditional systems that carry chemical refrigerants into the home. “Hydronic systems are more environmentally friendly because water is a better conductor of energy than air, and AirCell allows for refrigerants to remain outside of the building, cooling or heating the water that ultimately travels through the system,” he said, noting that AirCell uses variable-speed fans and an integrated control system that automatically slows fan speeds during off-peak times, reducing overall energy usage.

Mercy Again Recognized as Top 100 Value Hospital
SPRINGFIELD — For the fourth consecutive year, Mercy Medical Center has been recognized as a Top 100 Community Value hospital by Cleverley + Associates, a leading healthcare financial consulting firm. Mercy’s designation is noted in the independent organization’s recent publication State of the Hospital Industry – 2013 Edition. “Mercy Medical Center’s longstanding reputation for delivering high-quality care at a reasonable cost has once again been independently confirmed with the presentation of both the Community Value 100 and Community Value Five Star Awards,” said Daniel Moen, president and CEO for the Sisters of Providence Health System. “We are proud to be identified among the nation’s highest-scoring facilities in measures of quality of care and costs for the fourth year in a row. With an increasing focus on healthcare value and value-based purchasing of healthcare services driven by healthcare reform, providers are challenged to maximize their productivity and efficiency without sacrificing quality. These awards are further validation that Mercy Medical Center successfully meets those challenges.” The State of the Hospital Industry reports selected measures of hospital financial performance and discusses the critical factors that lie behind them.

Big Y Donates $40,000 to Red Cross Oklahoma Tornado Disaster Relief
SPRINGFIELD — In response to tornadoes that touched down recently and caused massive destruction throughout parts of Oklahoma, Big Y World Class Markets responded by hosting a donation program in all Massachusetts and Connecticut stores. Big Y World Class Markets collected donations from customer and employees for the American Red Cross disaster relief. Funds were raised through a special in-store customer/employee donation program. The community and employee donations, along with additional support from Big Y, resulted in a donation of $40,000, which will be utilized by both Massachusetts and Connecticut American Red Cross chapters in support of the ongoing relief efforts in the devastated communities and for the many people affected by the natural disaster. A formal check presentation to the Massachusetts American Red Cross was held on June 26. Donald D’Amour, CEO of Big Y Foods, presented the contribution to Rick Lee, Pioneer Valley Chapter director, and Mark Brinkerhoff, Pioneer Valley director of Community Support. “Time and time again, Big Y, its employees, and customers have shown incredible compassion and generosity toward people in need,” said Lee. “This customer donation program is one of many that Big Y has run for the Red Cross in recent years, and we are more than grateful for their continued support.”

Easthampton Savings to Build New Office in Belchertown
EASTHAMPTON — William Hogan Jr., president of Easthampton Savings Bank, recently announced the bank’s plans to build a new office in Belchertown. The bank purchased a piece of property and will be constructing a 2,500-square-foot, full-service office, with a drive-up ATM and safe-deposit boxes. It will be located less than a mile from the bank’s current location at 175 State St. The bank has leased space in Belchertown for almost 10 years. The decision to build was based on Easthampton Savings Bank’s long-term commitment to the town of Belchertown. The bank plans to have the new office open by the end of 2013.