Company Notebook

Springfield College, STCC Sign Articulation Agreement for IT Students

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) and Springfield College recently signed an articulation agreement allowing students at Springfield College to take Information Technology classes at STCC, recognizing the high quality of the Computer and IT Security program offered at STCC. Additionally, the agreement allows STCC students completing an associate’s degree in Computer Information Technologies to transfer to Springfield College as juniors in their Computer and Information Sciences major. “The agreement between STCC and Springfield College is historic because it gives bilateral pathways for STCC students to continue their education by earning a bachelor’s degree at Springfield College and it allows Springfield College students to gain access to the computer networking and security curriculum and expertise offered at STCC,” said Brian Candido, STCC Computer Information Technologies program chairman and associate professor. “It is a true win-win scenario for all students and faculty at both institutions.” Candido said the two colleges have been working together in this capacity since 2008 through the Cooperative Colleges of Greater Springfield (CCGS). The formal signing of this articulation agreement not only creates an opportunity for STCC students to transfer to Springfield College as juniors, but also allows STCC students to become eligible for school-based scholarships based on their grade-point averages. For Springfield College student Karon Perkins, the partnership between STCC and Springfield College gives him access to a top-notch IT program as well as a chance to experience campus life at another college besides his own. “STCC offers a good selection of programs not offered at Springfield College,” said Perkins. “And having the opportunity to come to STCC gives me a taste of a different college — what it’s like to be on a different campus — and I’ve learned a lot.” Leona Ittleman, dean of STCC’s School of Business and Information Technologies, credits both STCC and Springfield College faculty for the work they have done to make this agreement between the campuses a reality. “Some of our best students transfer to Springfield College and receive the benefits of our colleagues’ experience and dedication to student learning,” she noted. The Computer and Information Sciences major at Springfield College is a professional program that offers a solid core of theoretical and applied computer-science courses and provides students with the choice of one of four required concentrations: Information Systems, Software Development, Game Programming, or Internet and Network Security.

 

Big Y Raises $194,000 to Fight Breast Cancer

SPRINGFIELD — In order to raise awareness and funds to fight breast cancer, all Big Y Supermarkets donated proceeds from the company’s October initiative “Partners of Hope” to 17 breast-cancer support groups throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut. This month-long program reflects the partnership, commitment, and support of breast-cancer awareness and research that are so vital for many. In October,  Big Y raised $194,000, which was donated to nearly two dozen organizations. Locally, these included the Women’s Imaging Center at Berkshire Medical Center, Rays of Hope, and the Mercy Breast Care Center. “Big Y is committed to promoting breast-cancer awareness to our community,” said Big Y CEO Donald D’Amour. “Over the past five years, we’ve made tremendous progress thanks to our customers, vendors, and employees. In addition, these funds benefit local programs throughout our region. It is truly a collaborative effort.” Since 2007, the chain has raised more than $863,000 for this cause. During the entire month of October, specially marked ‘pink’ products and promotions involved almost every department in the store. Big Y donated a portion of the proceeds from several departments, including floral and produce. Many other items with pink packaging were available, and their manufacturers also made a donation of a portion of their proceeds for breast-cancer research as well. Big Y’s pink, reusable, earth-friendly shopping bag highlighting the breast-cancer awareness campaign were available, and every store promoted Partners of Hope pink ribbons for $1 as a way of generating additional proceeds for breast-cancer organizations throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut.

 

Cooley Dickinson Named a Leapfrog Top Hospital

NORTHAMPTON — Cooley Dickinson Hospital is one of 92 hospitals nationwide and eight in Massachusetts named to the Leapfrog Group’s annual list of Top Hospitals, which was announced on Dec. 4 at Leapfrog’s annual meeting. “It is because our doctors, nurses, allied-health professionals, and staff take the steps necessary to ensure that our patients receive safe, high-quality care that Cooley Dickinson achieved this recognition,” said Craig Melin, president and CEO. “Being named a Top Hospital is validation from an independent authority that our staff is continuously focused on delivering a high quality of care. Ultimately, our patients benefit most from our efforts, because they are less likely to experience quality or safety events at Cooley Dickinson.” Leah Binder, president and CEO of the Leapfrog Group, said the Top Hospital distinction “is by far the most competitive award a hospital can receive. Leapfrog holds hospitals to the highest standards on behalf of our purchaser members and their employees. By achieving the Top Hospital accolade, Cooley Dickinson has demonstrated exemplary performance across all areas of quality and patient safety that are analyzed on the Leapfrog Hospital Survey.” Besides announcing this year’s Top Hospitals, the Leapfrog Group focused on transparency as the key to improved hospital safety at its annual meeting. Cooley Dickinson was selected as a Top Hospital out of nearly 1,200 hospitals participating in the Leapfrog Group’s annual survey. Hospitals reaching this achievement include academic medical centers, teaching hospitals, children’s hospitals, and community hospitals in rural, suburban, and urban settings.

Top Hospital selections are based on the results of the Leapfrog Group’s annual hospital survey, which measures hospitals’ performance on patient safety and quality, focusing on three critical areas of hospital care: how patients fare, resource use, and management structures in place to prevent errors. The results of the survey are posted at www.leapfroggroup.org/cp.