Purdy named CEO at HCHC

WORTHINGTON — Hilltown Community Health Center announces the appointment of Dr. Michael Purdy as chief executive officer.

Purdy’s appointment comes after a five-month national search, conducted by executive search firm Zurick Davis, that included a pool of highly qualified candidates.

Purdy served as interim CEO during the search and previously held the position of chief clinical and community services officer for the past 10 years. He brings 20 years of public health experience in both clinical and administrative capacities to his new role.

Purdy succeeds Eliza Lake, who stepped down as CEO in the summer. He begins his tenure immediately.

HCHC is a federally qualified health center operating four clinics, in Worthington, Huntington, Amherst and at Gateway Regional High School, and a community center in Huntington. Another school-based center, at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School in Northampton, is in the planning stages.

Assistant DA honored for animal welfare work

NORTHAMPTON — Northwestern Assistant District Attorney Erin M. Aiello was honored for her extensive efforts to educate and raise awareness about animal cruelty at the annual meeting of the Animal Control Officers Association of Massachusetts.

The meeting was held Oct. 27 at a banquet hall in Auburn.

Aiello received the Richard “Dick” Stein Award, given annually to someone who promotes professionalism of the animal welfare field through continuing education. 

The award is named in honor of the late Richard Stein, a founding member of the Animal Control Officers Association of Massachusetts in 1980, who served as Canton animal control officer for over 30 years. 

Aiello thanked the animal control officers for their hard work and efforts to protect animals, noting that in every county where she has worked, there have been “devoted animal welfare officers.”

Aiello, a prosecutor in the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Unit, alluded to the correlation between people who abuse animals and those who abuse people.

“Your work also plays a role in helping communities and humans and families that you also serve,” she said.

Aiello worked in the Plymouth County and Bristol County District Attorney’s offices and in private practice before coming to the Northwestern DA’s office in 2019. She earned her law degree from the Roger William School of Law in 2008 and her bachelor’s degree in politics and government from the University of Hartford in 2005.

Country Bank board earns certification

WARE — Country Bank’s board of directors recently became the first fully certified board through Bank Director’s certification program, board chairman James Phaneuf announced.

The certification provides participants with a grounding in corporate governance and industry issues that greatly enhance the performance of individual directors.

The board completed the comprehensive training program this past year and was certified in September.

Participants must complete 31 designated online training videos and board briefs focused on the role of the board, audit and risk, compensation, governance, and fiduciary responsibilities.

In addition, participants must attend a daylong corporate governance workshop or, alternatively, complete a virtual version of the program.

Country Bank is a full-service community bank serving central and western Massachusetts with offices in Belchertown, Ware and 12 other communities.

HCC to host health careers open house Nov. 15

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College will host an open house at its Center for Health Education & Simulation on Wednesday, Nov. 15, for anyone interested in exploring educational programs and careers in health care, animal care, or human services.

Visitors to the Health Careers Open House are welcome to tour HCC’s health education facility from 4 to 6 p.m. and talk to representatives from the college’s programs in nursing, radiologic technology, veterinary and animal science, medical assisting, community health worker), direct care, EMT, public health),certified nursing assistant, medical billing and coding, and human services.

This event is free and open to the public. The building, located at 404 Jarvis Ave., just off the main HCC campus, is home to the college’s nursing and radiologic technology programs, and medical simulation labs.

There will also be representatives attending from the offices of financial aid, admissions, advising, and workforce development to talk to prospective students about their educational options and career pathways.

To register in advance, visit hcc.edu/open-house-health

For more information, pcontact Dee Westcott at dwestcott@hcc.edu or advising@hcc.edu

TommyCar, sheriff participating in no-shave November

NORTHAMPTON — TommyCar Auto Group is teaming up with the Hampshire County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Patrick Cahillane to raise awareness about cancer and supporting vital initiatives in cancer prevention, research and education.

Throughout November, the deputies and staff of the Hampshire County Sheriff’s Office can opt out of their usual dress code and grow out their facial hair, in exchange for a $20 donation. All proceeds go the Tom Cosenzi Driving for the Cure Charity Golf Tournament, which directly supports Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

TommyCar Auto Group is committed to matching the total amount raised, doubling the impact of the contributions.

The community is invited to be a part of the No Shave November movement by submitting a donation. To submit a donation, visit PutDownYourRazor.com.