Way Finders appoints Bidwell as chief development officer

SPRINGFIELD — Way Finders has hired John Bidwell as its new chief development officer, where he will lead the resource development and marketing and communications teams.

Most recently, Bidwell was executive director of United Way of the Franklin and Hampshire Region where he oversaw the merger of two regional United Ways, funding for 44 regional programs, and increased community support through the pandemic.

Prior to that, while director of marketing at Baystate Health, Bidwell increased brand recognition, patient numbers, and loyalty membership in addition to leading the website redesign that earned Best in Class. He founded and led Bidwell ID, a marketing and branding firm that worked with regional nonprofits, schools and businesses. He is a Certified Fund Raising Executive, has received dozens of marketing awards, and has served on numerous regional boards. He was a Peace Corps volunteer and is a co-author of the critically acclaimed “Shores Beyond Shores: From Holocaust to Hope.”

Bidwell replaces Megan Talbert who was hired as executive director of the Dakin Animal Shelter.

Cooley Dickinson hires new plastic surgeon, expands team

NORTHAMPTON — Dr. Brian Pryor, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon, and physician assistants Taylor Cohen and Miah DiGregorio have joined Cooley Dickinson Northampton Plastic Surgery and the Cooley Dickinson Hospital Medical Staff.

Board-certified in plastic and reconstructive surgery, Pryor comes to Cooley Dickinson Hospital after nearly seven years at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield, where he served as chief of plastic surgery.

Pryor brings new skills and specialized services to Cooley Dickinson, including fat transfer procedures, such as gluteal augmentation surgery and fat grafting; highly specialized tummy tuck techniques for patients following bariatric surgery; genital surgery; as well as liposuction, breast reduction and breast reconstruction, breast augmentation, and breast lift surgery; and facelift, arm lift, and thigh lift procedures.

Pryor graduated from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, where he completed his internship and residency in general surgery, as well as a fellowship in plastic and reconstructive surgery. He is a Fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons.

Prior joins colleagues Dr. Simone Topal and physician assistant Nicole Zarba. Pryor, along with Cohen and DiGregorio, joined Cooley Dickinson Plastic Surgery last fall.

Cohen earned a Master of Science in physician assistant studies from Springfield College. She is certified by the National Commission of Physician Assistants. DiGregorio earned a Master of Science in physician assistant studies from Springfield College and is certified by the National Commission of Physician Assistants.

River Valley Co-op’s store design receives AIA awards

EASTHAMPTON — River Valley Co-op’s Easthampton store’s design by Thomas Douglas Architects has been awarded both the Merit Award and the People’s Choice Award from the Western Massachusetts Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

The design celebrates the co-op’s values and commitment to connecting consumers with local and organic products in the Pioneer Valley while optimizing energy efficiency and incorporating community spaces for indoor and outdoor dining and food trucks.

River Valley’s Easthampton location is on track to be North America’s first net-zero grocery store through energy efficiency and on-site generated solar power. This was achieved through a collaborative effort between the co-op, Thomas Douglas Architects, Tighe & Bond Engineers, Wright Builders, Co-op Power, Solar Design Associates, PV-Squared, EOS Energy Systems, and the rest of the expansive project team.

The design team implemented energy modeling early in the process to evaluate alternatives for the proposed facility’s HVAC systems, building envelope, and lighting systems. Enhancements to the HVAC systems include indoor air quality features, such as improved filtration, increased fresh air, and bipolar ionization air cleaning technology to address concerns relative to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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