Company Notebook

Bulkley Richardson Recognized for Professional Excellence

SPRINGFIELD — Bulkley Richardson was recently named a 2013 Top Ranked Law Firm by Lexis-Nexis Martindale-Hubbell for having more than one-third, or a total of 15, of its attorneys identified by their peers as AV Preeminent, the highest ranking for professional excellence in the peer-review rating system. The firm was also included in the 2013 edition of Best Law Firms published by U.S. News – Best Lawyers. It was ranked in the top tier in eight practice areas, the most of any Springfield law firm.

 

Freedom Credit Union Reaches Out to Latinos

SPRINGFIELD — Freedom Credit Union, a full-service financial cooperative with online banking and nine branches throughout the four counties of Western Mass., announced it has launched its first marketing campaign to extend brand awareness and loyalty to the Latino community throughout in the region. The new campaign is called “Juntos Por Tu Libertad Financiera” (Together for Your Financial Freedom), and reflects the value Freedom Credit Union brings through its many products and services that help people realize their dreams through financial freedom. The Latino community now comprises almost 39% of Springfield’s population, up from 27.2% in 2000, according to the U.S. Census. The census also reported that the region’s Latino population grew 40% from 2000 to 2010. “The Latino community has always been a very important part of our membership base, and the recent and rapid growth of the Latino population in the region provides Freedom Credit Union a unique opportunity to demonstrate that we value the diverse community in which we live,” said President Barry Crosby. “The theme ‘Juntos Por Tu Libertad Financiera’ echoes this sentiment and reinforces that we are a collaborative partner in helping the Latino community realize their dreams through financial freedom.” The campaign, created by Bauzá & Associates, consists of a TV, radio, and print advertising campaign as well as financial literacy and public relations. “Freedom Credit Union is very proud of the relationship we have established with our Latino members. We are now looking to expand our efforts by enhancing our communication and servicing our membership in a more culturally relevant manner,” Crosby added. “As a local and cooperative institution that believes in elevating the community, we are focused on consistently delivering the highest-quality value to all of our members.”

 

Innovative Business Systems Wins Accolades

EASTHAMPTON — Innovative Business Systems, a technology-solutions company, was recently chosen as one of the top three technology companies in the state in the banking industry in the Warren Group’s annual readers poll for Banker & Tradesman’s Best of 2012. In the survey, readers are asked to vote on their favorite companies in several categories. The Warren Group publishes Banker & Tradesman and the Commercial Record.

 

Baystate Earns Distinction as Leapfrog Top Hospital

SPRINGFIELD — Baystate Medical Center has, for the fourth consecutive year, joined an elite group of 60 urban hospitals in the U.S. named Top Hospitals in the Leapfrog Group’s 2012 survey of more than 1,200 hospitals. Leapfrog’s Top Hospital designation is the most competitive national hospital quality award in the country and recognizes hospitals that deliver the highest-quality care by preventing medical errors, reducing mortality for high-risk procedures such as heart bypass surgery, and reducing hospital readmissions for patients being treated for conditions like pneumonia and heart attacks. University and other teaching hospitals like Baystate, children’s hospitals, and community hospitals in rural, suburban, and urban settings were all represented in the 2012 rankings. Leapfrog also identified Baystate Medical Center in the top 5% of hospitals that completed the survey in 2012. “Patients deserve to be in the safest hospital possible. Our superior performance, recognized in this prestigious survey for the fourth consecutive year alongside our many other awards and accreditations, confirms for our patients that we meet the highest quality and safety standards among an elite group of top-ranked hospitals in the United States,” said Dr. Evan Benjamin, senior vice president of Healthcare Quality at Baystate Health. The Leapfrog Survey provides a broad look at a hospital’s quality, safety, and efficiency, and uses some of the most widely accepted and nationally validated measures of hospital performance. Leapfrog also offers healthcare consumers and purchasers unique information not available anywhere else. For example, Leapfrog is the only national source of information on a hospital’s rate of early elective newborn deliveries (Baystate Medical Center has taken a leadership role in working with all Massachusetts birthing hospitals to stop all elective preterm births), adoption of computerized physician order entry to prevent medical errors (Baystate began CPOE back in 1991 and has long been a national leader in that area, with virtually 100% compliance), and several other important measures of inpatient care. In addition to making the Top Hospitals list, Baystate Medical Center, as well as its sister hospital, Baystate Franklin Medical Center (BFMC) in Greenfield, received ‘A’ grades from Leapfrog on its latest Hospital Safety Score released on Nov. 28. Dr. Gerda Maissel, BFMC’s chief medical officer, noted that “the Leapfrog Group is an important and objective national organization that has done great work to ensure that the public is informed about hospital quality and safety. Quality is a top priority at Baystate Franklin Medical Center, and I am proud of everyone involved in this achievement, including those who provide direct care to our patients and those who work behind the scenes to keep us on track and moving forward.”

 

O’Connell Care at Home and Healthcare Staffing Marks 25th Anniversary

HOLYOKE — O’Connell Care at Home and Health Care Staffing,

a regional provider of personal aid and nursing services, recently marked its 25th year in business. O’Connell has been providing Western Mass. and Northern Conn. individuals and families with a holistic approach to care since its founding in 1987. O’Connell’s holistic approach factors an individual’s social wants and needs into his or her personalized care plan. The company states that, by doing so, its staff is able to provide more emotionally supportive experience for the individual, as well as address his or her physical limitations and medical conditions. According to President Fran O’Connell, this approach grew out of his personal experiences and became the founding principal of the company. “In my youth, I saw firsthand what a difference it made when things that are important to people are still part of their lives,” he said. “Little things, like lunch with friends or talking baseball with someone, helps individuals feel whole — like they are still loved and respected. It’s something all of us deserve.” The company’s services range from transportation and home-companion services to geriatric-care management and hospice care. The company also provides staffing solutions for some of the region’s assisted-living facilities, rehabilitation centers, and visiting-nurse associations.