ServiceNet names Normand as VP of community programs

NORTHAMPTON — Polly Normand is the new vice president of community programs at ServiceNet, where she is overseeing shelter and housing services, substance use recovery services and the REACH Early Intervention Program.

No stranger to ServiceNet, a nonprofit mental health and human services organization serving communities throughout western Massachusetts, Normand comes to the position after serving as a consultant for the past several months, and prior to that as a board member for six years.

Normand completed both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Public Health degrees at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. A registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator, and certified professional in health care quality, Normand has knowledge and experience in health care, plus a deep interest in population health. As part of her new role at ServiceNet, she will soon launch a wellness program for people with serious mental illness — an initiative she began working on during her consultancy.

While Normand’s career has included both her own private practice and corporate work with Baystate Health and Shields Health Solutions, a key connecting theme has been her desire to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

Dr. Zesiger named medical director at Hospice of the Fisher Home

AMHERST — Dr. Jeffrey Zesiger has been appointed as medical director of the Amherst-based Hospice of the Fisher Home.

In addition to his role as medical director at the Fisher Home, Zesiger is part of the palliative care team at Baystate Health.

Previously, Zesiger was the Hospice medical director at the inpatient Hospice Care Center for Providence Healthcare in Everett, Washington.

“I am happy about reconnecting with the five-college area after being away in Washington for two years,” Zesiger said.

For many years he directed the Palliative Care program at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, where he was also medical director for the VNA Hospice. He was on the team that developed the VNA Palliative Care Program, which received the 2015 Homecare Alliance of Massachusetts award for best team.

As well, Zesiger had a private internal medicine practice in Northampton from 1998-2007.

Zesiger received his medical degree from the University of Vermont Medical School and did his residency at Baystate Medical Center.

He is a well-known speaker on the difference between palliative care and hospice, as well as advance care planning.

Belchertown Senior Center receives donation from bank

BELCHERTOWN — The Belchertown Council on Aging has received a $2,000 donation from Country Bank, one of 21 such donations the bank made to senior centers throughout the region.

The donations are made without restriction for those necessary items that may not be met within annual budgets.

In addition to its annual monetary support, Country Bank also sends teams of its “Difference Makers” to volunteer at local senior centers on a monthly basis.

Kuhn Riddle adds 2 staffers to its firm

AMHERST — Kuhn Riddle Architects welcomes Salabat Khan and Ruoqi Zhong to its architectural team.

Khan’s architectural interests began at MEASI Academy of Architecture in Chennai, India, where he acquired a strong foundation in design principles and cultivated his love for innovation. He completed his Master of Architecture at UMass Amherst this year.

Khan’s approach to architecture is human-centric: he most enjoys creating designs that enhance the user’s quality of life and sense of belonging. His work is focused, as well, on contextual integration into the historic, cultural and natural environment surrounding any project.

Kuhn Riddle was recently awarded the prestigious “Emerging Professionals Friendly” designation from the American Institute of Architects. This award recognizes supporting emerging architects like Khan on their journey to registration, and ultimate success in the architectural field.

Zhong was drawn to Kuhn Riddle because she is inspired by architecture that connects to its surroundings, is public-oriented, and will make a positive difference in people’s lives.

She will continue to follow her integrative, transformative design focus at KRA. She applies her expertise and attention to detail to K-12 educational projects, community organizations, multi-family and private homes.

Zhong received her Bachelor of Architecture degree in 2011 from Harbin Institute of Technology in Heilongjiang, China. In 2014 she was awarded two degrees at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champagne: Master of Architecture and Master of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering.