Page 30 - BusinessWest October 12, 2020

HEALTHCARE HEROES OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
HMC
Continued from page A8
Indeed, the long-time Chicopee resident arrived in Korea just as the truce between the warring factions was being signed. And when it looked like he was ticketed for taking up a gun and maintaining the peace along the DMZ, an officer who noticed on his résumé that he had musical experience and had been part of some polka bands, let him take up a clarinet
in an Army band instead. To make a long story shorter, his band entered a string of talent contests, ultimately won first prize, and wound up on The Ed Sullivan Show.
Madura told BusinessWest that this habit of being in the right place extends to his current, but certainly not permanent, mailing address at Holyoke Medical Center.
“They take really good care of you here,” he said, not wanting to compare the facilities to those he left just up the hill at the Soldiers’ Home, although he did hint that the desserts are better — and larger — at HMC. “I’m fortunate to be here; we all are.”
Indeed they are. A small army answered the call last April, and it is still answering the call, making the staff at HMC a true Healthcare Hero in a year when there are many to celebrate. n
George O’Brien can be reached at [email protected]
Korean War Veteran Richard Madura, seen here with recreational therapist Mary Argenio, is one of 39 veterans who found a new home at Holyoke Medical Center.
to think
ABOUT THE FUTURE.
We like to help them
PLAN FOR IT.
countrybank.com
MEMBER FDIC | MEMBER DIF
A10 OCTOBER 2020
2020 HEALTHCARE HEROES
O
F
E
M
O
S
L
K
S
L
I
K
E