A PUBLICATION OF HOLYOKE MEDICAL CENTER
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ADVANCED
WOUND HEALING
CARE CLOSE TO HOME
FOR EAST LONGMEADOW
THRIVING AFTER CANCER One Young Woman’s Story
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OCTOBER IS
Breast Cancer Awareness M nth On average, every 2 minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States. Join Holyoke Medical Center oncologist and hematologist Dr. Renuka Dulala as she discusses the importance of breast cancer screening, early detection, and new treatments available. Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2026 Time: 10am Location: Chicopee Council on Aging, 5 West Main Street, Chicopee, MA 01020 Please register by calling (413) 534-2789.
On the Cover: Brianna Zemrock (right) was diagnosed with colon cancer at age 26. She is now in remission, thanks to her care team at Holyoke Medical Center, including oncologist Zubeena Mateen, MD (left).
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CONTENTS 3 HEALTHY HABITS 4 THRIVING AFTER CANCER News and information for better health.
A positive attitude, family support, and expert medical care help a young woman achieve remission after a devastating diagnosis.
6 ALL HEART 7 E ASIER IMAGING
HMC Cardiovascular Specialists welcomes its newest member, Abdullah Ahmad, MD, MPH. The HMC Springfield Outpatient Center improves convenience with new diagnostic imaging services.
8 ADVANCED CARDIAC CARE
A new cardiac catheterization lab offers convenient, timely access to key cardiac procedures.
10 HEALING EXPERTISE
The HMC Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine Center treats chronic wounds.
ACCESS IN EAST 12 EASY LONGMEADOW
For those who call East Longmeadow and the surrounding area home, a new outpatient center is a welcome addition.
14 A LIFETIME OF SERVICE
A beloved Holyoke nonagenarian earns the HMC Lifetime Achievement Award for his decades of generosity and support.
15 POWER FOOD
You don’t have to wait for the holidays to enjoy the sweet, earthy flavor of seasonal chestnuts.
●H OLYOKE MEDICAL CENTER
575 Beech Street, Holyoke | 413.534.2500
●H OLYOKE MEDICAL GROUP
15 Hospital Drive, Holyoke | 413.535.4800
●H OLYOKE VNA HOSPICE LIFE CARE
575 Beech Street, Holyoke | 413.534.5691
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HEALTHY HABITS
FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
DEPRESSION AND DEMENTIA A recent study found that dementia risk more than doubled for adults previously diagnosed with depression. —JAMA Neurology
QUICKEN YOUR PACE
Folks who have a brisk walking speed have a longer life expectancy—86 years for women and 85 years for men—than adults who are slow walkers. —Mayo Clinic Proceedings
NOT SUCH SWEET NEWS
Sugar has been linked to health problems such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. But added sugar also damages DNA, leading to faster cellular aging. Avoid soda, candy, sweetened cereals, and condiments like ketchup, and aim to consume no more than 12 teaspoons of sugar per day. —JAMA Network
STEP UP
People who climb at least five flights of stairs daily have a 20% lower risk of heart disease and stroke.
SHOULD YOU TRUST MEDICAL INFO FROM CHATBOTS?
About half of the medical information provided by five popular chatbots is inaccurate and incomplete, with answers to evidence-based questions “somewhat” or “highly” problematic, a study shows. Each chatbot was prompted with 10 openand closed-ended questions in each of five categories: cancer, vaccines, stem cells, nutrition, and athletic performance. —BMJ Open
—Atherosclerosis
50% The percentage of Americans with diabetes who do not have it under control. —JAMA
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Brianna Zemrock (right) was diagnosed with colon cancer at age 26 but is now in remission, thanks to her care team at Holyoke Medical Center, including oncologist Zubeena Mateen, MD (left).
THRIVING
AFTER CANCER A POSITIVE ATTITUDE, FAMILY SUPPORT, AND EXPERT MEDICAL CARE HELP A YOUNG WOMAN ACHIEVE REMISSION AFTER A DEVASTATING DIAGNOSIS. WHEN BRIANNA ZEMROCK began having abdominal cramps in September 2023, she assumed they were just menstrual symptoms. When she started experiencing fatigue and intermittent diarrhea around the same time, she wasn’t overly concerned. Even when
Francis Martinez, MD
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Zubeena Mateen, MD
she began bleeding rectally, she didn’t get too alarmed. “Being only 26 at the time, I really didn’t think much of it,” she says. “I was working more than 40 hours a week, and I thought, ‘I’m fine, I’m young, it’s nothing.’” But soon, Brianna began looking very
Bushra Zia, MD
Nicholas Felton, PA-C
pale, and it became difficult for her to keep down food and even water. “That’s when my family, especially my grandfather, pushed me to go to a walk-in clinic,” says the Holyoke resident, who did not have a primary care physician (PCP) at the time. “He sensed something was wrong.” By February 2024, Brianna had found a PCP, Nicholas Felton, PA-C, a physician assistant at Holyoke Medical Center (HMC). “He ran routine blood work,” Brianna says. “The results were a little abnormal but nothing flagging cancer.” Felton recommended that Brianna see a gastroenterologist, which she did.
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Adenocarcinoma accounts for
95% of colon and rectal cancers.
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
“Beginning in February 2025, Brianna had six onemonth cycles of a chemotherapy regimen that has been proven in studies to be the most effective after surgery for Brianna’s type of cancer,” Dr. Mateen says. “The purpose is to kill any residual cancer cells left behind after surgery so that the cancer doesn’t return.” While Brianna had two blood transfusions during her treatment as well as injections to improve her white blood cell count, she tolerated the treatment very well. “Brianna is a very sweet and positive person,” Dr. Mateen says. “Her mom was very involved in her care and was always there to support her, along with Brianna’s boyfriend [now fiancé] and grandfather.”
Since her symptoms were similar to those of Crohn’s disease or colitis, Brianna was initially prescribed several steroids followed by an injectable biologic prescription medicine, but they didn’t work. When the medications offered no relief and her symptoms continued to worsen, she had a colonoscopy on Oct. 8, 2024, performed at HMC by Bushra Zia, MD. “Afterward, Dr. Zia called my mom in and told us that she had found a mass and would send it out for testing,” A POSITIVE OUTLOOK Brianna says. The biopsy came back Brianna believes that her positive positive for adenocarcinoma of the attitude helped her, especially during the sigmoid colon. rough patches. “It surely helped me get In November 2024, Brianna saw through this journey,” she says. “I knew HMC oncologist Zubeena Mateen, MD, that this was just a chapter in my story for the first time. Brianna then had an and that this was only preparing me for MRI, a CT scan, and a liver biopsy that, something great in my future.” fortunately, was benign. On Dec. 16, She credits her mother for her 2024, she had colon resection surgery strength and determination. “I was lucky (colectomy) performed by HMC surgeon to have gained my courage and strength Francis Martinez, MD. During from my mom, who raised me as surgery, 39 of Brianna’s a single mother and showed lymph nodes were me that when you put your removed, three of mind to it, you can do Adenocarcinoma which came back anything,” she says. refers to tumors positive for cancer. According to that originate Brianna’s disease Brianna, Dr. Mateen and in glands that line was determined to her team were always be Stage III, and she there, not just to provide the inside of would need adjuvant exemplary care, but to organs. chemotherapy. offer support, guidance,
Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the United States.
and comfort. “Dr. Mateen and the oncology team became my second home on this journey,” she says. “They assured me that this was all going to be OK and soon enough I would be ringing the bell.” Brianna also is very thankful to Dr. Martinez for her “Christmas miracle,” which allowed her to be home for the holidays following her surgery, and to Chaplain Joe, whom she met and became friends with during her hospital stay—and who will officiate at her wedding ceremony in 2027.
RINGING THE BELL As of this past summer, Brianna has been in remission. “I rang the bell [a symbol to mark the completion of active treatment] on July 31, 2025,” she says. “I now see Dr. Mateen roughly every three to six months for follow-up, and she is always a phone call away if I need anything.” For Brianna, ringing the bell means much more than completion of treatment and remission. “It’s just the start of the next chapter, where now you advocate for the ones who are currently fighting,” she says.
MC Cancer Center, located at 575 Beech St., First Floor, in Holyoke, is accepting new H patients. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, please call 413.534.2543. VALLEY HEALTH & LIFE
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ALL HEART
HMC CARDIOVASCULAR SPECIALISTS WELCOMES ITS NEWEST MEMBER, ABDULLAH AHMAD, MD, MPH. HMC CARDIOVASCULAR Specialists offers comprehensive, compassionate cardiac care, including a wide range of services using advanced screening technologies and state-of-the-art equipment. As with many other Holyoke Medical Center (HMC) departments, it continues to expand both its services and its staff. Cardiologist Abdullah Ahmad, MD, MPH, who joined HMC in July, is the newest member of the team. He received his medical degree at the University of Jordan in Amman and completed a cardiovascular disease fellowship at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson, New Jersey. He is a member of the American College of Cardiology and the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology.
A SHARED COMMITMENT “What drew me to Holyoke Medical Center was the opportunity to help expand cardiovascular care while serving a community with significant healthcare needs, collaborating with outstanding colleagues, and improving access to high-quality cardiac care close to home,” says Dr. Ahmad, who notes that the HMC administration is approachable, collaborative, and supportive of physicians and staff. Dr. Ahmad treats a variety of conditions, including coronary artery disease, heart failure, heart rhythm
disorders, valvular heart disease, hypertension, and high cholesterol, and places a strong emphasis on prevention. “My clinical practice includes the diagnosis and treatment of heart rhythm disorders, implantation and management of pacemakers and
I believe the best medical decisions are made together, with open communication and a clear understanding of each patient’s goals and priorities. —Abdullah Ahmad, MD, MPH
defibrillators, cardiac CT and nuclear cardiology, and diagnostic cardiac catheterization,” he says.
CHOOSING CARDIOLOGY The course of Dr. Ahmad’s medical career was shaped by his family and
experiences that profoundly influenced his perspective as a physician. He grew up in Jordan in a family that deeply valued education and curiosity. Both his parents are civil engineers who encouraged him to pursue knowledge with an open mind. While Dr. Ahmad was in medical school, his father was diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer. “Watching him face his illness with grace, resilience, and optimism while continuing to work, spend time with family, and enjoy life taught me lessons that continue to guide my practice today,” the cardiologist says. “His strength became my strength and inspired my commitment to caring for patients with compassion, empathy, and respect.” Dr. Ahmad’s passion for cardiology began early in his training when he had the opportunity to review electrocardiograms. “I realized that recognizing subtle abnormalities early could completely change a patient’s outcome,” he says.
HIS SIMPLE PHILOSOPHY Dr. Ahmad is committed to ensuring that every patient is heard, feels respected, and is involved in their care. “My philosophy is simple: Treat the person, not just the diagnosis,” he says. “I believe the best medical decisions are made together, with open communication and a clear understanding of each patient’s goals and priorities.”
MC Cardiovascular Specialists, located at 11 Hospital H Drive, Third Floor, in Holyoke, is accepting new patients. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, please call 413.534.2870.
HMC CARDIOVASCULAR SPECIALISTS NOW INCLUDES:
Abdullah Ahmad, MD, MPH Khawar Maqsood, MD
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Nirav Sheth, MD
Hari Subramanian, MD
Dawn Chartier, NP
Tenzin Nyima, NP
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Left to right: HMC Director of Imaging Services Susan Lavoie, ARRT, RT (R), with office assistant Angelina Manarite and radiologic technologist Lynn Blais at the HMC Springfield Outpatient Center
EASIER IMAGING THE HMC SPRINGFIELD OUTPATIENT CENTER IMPROVES CONVENIENCE WITH NEW DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING SERVICES. IN FALL 2025, Holyoke Medical Center (HMC) announced that it would double the size of its Springfield Outpatient Center from 10,000 to 20,000 square feet and add several new departments to its roster of existing services, which then included Kidney Associates, Neurology & Sleep, Rheumatology, CORE Physical & Occupational Therapy, and lab draw services. As part of that expansion, several new departments began being added, including Family Medicine and Podiatry. Now, in a continued effort to broaden its scope and meet the evolving healthcare needs of the community, HMC has added HMC Diagnostic Imaging to its lineup.
CONVENIENT FOR PATIENTS According to HMC Director of Imaging Services Susan Lavoie, ARRT, RT (R), diagnostic imaging services at the Springfield location started with a soft launch in June, when the department began providing general radiology exams. “We were busy right from the start with our specialty practices—Podiatry, Rheumatology, and Neurology—and our large Family Medicine practice all on-site,” Lavoie says. “This is a win for our patients, who now can have imaging services right before or after appointments with their providers, all at the same location.” Ultrasound services were introduced
in September. As a convenience for urology patients, HMC Urology offers regular appointments in the HMC Springfield Outpatient Center. In addition, HMC General and Specialty Surgery are at the Springfield location once a week, which is convenient for patients who may need X-rays before surgery or followup exams. The department’s X-ray equipment is fully digital and includes an elevating and lowering table with a weight capacity of up to 600 pounds to accommodate patients of all heights and weights. The equipment is designed for environments with a large volume of trauma, geriatric, pediatric, and orthopedic patients.
READY TO SERVE The department delivers rapid, accurate results and welcomes patients from any facility. In addition, its nationally certified radiologists and technologists are happy to answer any patient questions. HMC Diagnostic Imaging is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. X-ray services do not require an appointment; patients can walk in with a physician or provider order. Ultrasound services require a scheduled appointment, with some same-day urgent request availability. Plenty of onsite parking is available.
Diagnostic Imaging at the HMC Springfield Outpatient Center, located at 2150 Main St., Suite 120, in Springfield, is accepting new patients. To learn more, please call 413.535.4763. VALLEY HEALTH & LIFE
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Khawar Maqsood, MD, FACC, FSCAI, in the HMC Cardiac Cath Lab
ADVANCED
CARDIAC CARE A NEW CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION LAB OFFERS CONVENIENT, TIMELY ACCESS TO KEY CARDIAC PROCEDURES.
Brian Toia, MBA, MSN, RN
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HOLYOKE MEDICAL CENTER (HMC) has expanded its cardiology services by opening a new advanced cardiac catheterization lab (cath lab) at the hospital’s main location. Since it opened on June 30, the HMC Cardiac Cath Lab, which is currently performing only diagnostic procedures, has been benefiting heart patients by offering advanced care close to home. Cardiac catheterization is an important clinical tool that allows cardiologists to observe and evaluate patients’ heart function, assess heart valve problems, diagnose— and sometimes even treat—certain conditions, and plan future treatment. In the procedure, which is performed
under moderate sedation, a catheter (narrow, flexible tube) is inserted into a blood vessel accessed through the groin or arm. The catheter is then threaded through blood vessels to the heart.
A FASTER DIAGNOSIS Having a cath lab at HMC means heart patients can now have catheterization procedures right in the hospital, reducing scheduling delays, eliminating the need for patients to travel to another facility, and ensuring timely and safe procedures with providers patients know and trust. “Delays in scheduling cardiac catheterizations can lead to delays in the diagnosis of underlying serious heart conditions,” says HMC interventional cardiologist Khawar Maqsood, MD, FACC, FSCAI, medical director of the HMC Cardiac Cath Lab. HMC Director of Perioperative Services Brian Toia, MBA, MSN, RN, adds that earlier diagnosis can reduce
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The HMC Cardiac Cath Lab’s skilled and collaborative team
the risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular complications through prompt initiation of appropriate care. “We are proud to offer our patients advanced cardiac care close to home, continuing to provide the high-quality care they have come to expect from HMC,” he says. Although many cardiac tests can be performed in a doctor’s office, certain tests and procedures, such as coronary angiography (images of the heart arteries) and left and right heart catheterization, can be performed only in a cath lab with specialized equipment and expert staff. “Prior to the opening of our cath lab,” Toia says, “we recruited an exceptional group of experienced cardiac cath nurses and technologists to join our existing team of special procedures/interventional radiology (IR)
nurses and technologists.” Together with Dr. Maqsood, these professionals create a highly skilled, collaborative team with expertise in both cardiac and IR procedures.
CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY The HMC Cardiac Cath Lab uses some of the latest technology to provide cardiologists with the information they need to make timely, accurate diagnoses. “The largest piece of technology in the room is the digital fluoroscopy system that provides realtime imaging, similar to an X-ray image, during catheter procedures,” Toia says. “To ensure patient safety, there is an advanced hemodynamic monitoring system that continuously measures arterial and venous pressures, pressures from within the vessels of the heart, and cardiac output.” In
addition, vital signs and heart rhythms are carefully watched using continuous electrocardiogram monitoring to safeguard patient welfare during procedures. HMC will be introducing the CathWorks FFRangio System to the cath lab in the near future. “This advanced software helps quantify the degree of blockage in the heart arteries in borderline blockages,” Dr. Maqsood explains. “In most local institutions, this assessment is done with specialized wires that are inserted into the heart arteries and can sometimes lead to complications.” With the new software, HMC cardiologists will be able to make comprehensive assessments from the diagnostic images. According to Toia, HMC will be the only hospital west of Worcester to have this advanced technology.
HMC Cardiovascular Specialists, located at 11 Hospital Drive, Third Floor, in Holyoke, is accepting new patients. To learn more or schedule an appointment, please call 413.534.2870. VALLEY HEALTH & LIFE
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Elizabeth (Betsy) Bender surrounded by her HMC Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine Center care team: Stephanie Szklarz, patient navigator; Sara Edwards, clinical nurse manager; and Gregory Gadowski, MD
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HEALING EXPERTISE THE HMC WOUND CARE AND HYPERBARIC MEDICINE CENTER TREATS CHRONIC WOUNDS. MOST WOUNDS—FROM small scrapes to deep punctures—heal with conventional treatment. Some, however, require specialized intervention and care. Over 10.5 million Americans experience chronic, nonhealing wounds, which often affect people with complex underlying health conditions, such as diabetes. Diabetic foot ulcers comprise more than 31% of nonhealing wounds. Other common chronic wounds are pressure ulcers (bed sores), venous leg ulcers, trauma wounds, and arterial ulcers. At the Holyoke Medical Center (HMC) Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine Center, specialized care for chronic, nonhealing wounds is provided by experienced staff using the latest techniques and technologies. “Nonhealing wounds require specialized care,” says Gregory Gadowski, MD, medical director of the HMC Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine Center and a board-certified general surgeon who is also certified by the American Board of Wound Management. “Treatments can include debridement, or removal of dead tissue that interferes with healing; compression wraps for edema; special dressing techniques and products; and cellular and tissuebased products. Additionally, for some difficult
Gregory Gadowski, MD
wounds and conditions, we offer hyperbaric oxygen treatment.”
ADDRESSING WOUNDS In 2023, Chicopee resident Elizabeth (Betsy) Bender discovered wounds on both of her feet after a personal care assistant used a file to remove very dry skin. “Because I can’t feel anything in my feet due to neuropathy, we went a little too far and opened up wounds,” says Betsy, who has several health conditions, including prediabetes and severe spinal stenosis, which causes nerve compression in her lower extremities. In the past, Betsy had had wounds on the sides of her big toes that were healed with ointments prescribed by her podiatrist. She tried the treatment again this time, but to no avail. “After a week of no healing, I went to the podiatrist,” Betsy says. “She said I needed wound care and referred me to the HMC Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine Center.” Betsy visited the center in August 2023 and was treated until October that year, when her wounds had been healed. Unfortunately, they subsequently reopened, and she returned to the center for treatment. Her treatments have involved collaboration with multiple HMC specialists and have included weekly debridement, various dressings and wraps, cellular and tissue-based products (skin substitutes), skin grafts, and negative pressure wound therapy, also known as wound vacuum-assisted closure.
A COMPLEX RECOVERY Like many people with chronic wounds and complex underlying conditions, Betsy has had a few setbacks on her road to recovery. She was hospitalized twice in 2025 with cellulitis, a bacterial skin infection that affects the deep layers of the skin and underlying tissues, and she’s been on antibiotics multiple times. Today, the wounds on Betsy’s left foot have closed, and those on her right foot are expected to be closed imminently. Betsy says she has been very happy with the expertise and dedication of the HMC Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine Center staff as well as the quality of her treatment and the progress that has been made in her healing. “I can’t say enough about the staff, who’ve always shown me great compassion,” she says. “Dr. Gadowski is very caring and knowledgeable about wound care, and my patient navigator, Stephanie Szklarz, is a ray of sunshine and a breath of fresh air.” Though excited to be almost finished with treatment, Betsy admits that she’s going to miss everyone at the center. “I might have to plan outings just to see them,” she says. “They have become an important part of my life, and I will be forever thankful for them.” Dr. Gadowski shares Betsy’s enthusiasm. “The HMC Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine Center team is the best team I have ever worked with, and the hospital is very committed to providing this much-needed service,” he says. “Not every hospital has gone that extra mile.”
he HMC Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine Center is located at 18 Hospital T Drive in Holyoke and is accepting new patients. To learn more, call 413.535.4740. VALLEY HEALTH & LIFE
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EASY ACCESS IN EAST LONGMEADOW FOR THOSE WHO CALL EAST LONGMEADOW AND THE SURROUNDING AREA HOME, A NEW OUTPATIENT CENTER IS A WELCOME ADDITION.
AS PART OF ITS ongoing commitment to providing more convenient access to high-quality healthcare, Holyoke Medical Center (HMC) recently opened a new outpatient center in East Longmeadow. The HMC East Longmeadow Outpatient Center, located at 294 North Main St., began offering its first services in early September and will have phases of additional services added throughout
Convenient, local access to care is a key component of our long-term growth strategy. —Carl Cameron, executive vice Carl Cameron
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president and chief operating officer, Holyoke Medical Center
the remainder of the year. “This phased approach will allow HMC to create a comprehensive outpatient center that provides convenient access to a broad range of healthcare services closer to where patients live and work,” says HMC Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Carl Cameron. The Work Connection/Occupational Health moved to the new location in September and was joined by Adult Primary Care services. The primary care office opened with one physician— Theodore Mlapah, MD—and expects to have four providers practicing at the East Longmeadow office by early January 2027. This expansion will significantly increase access to primary care for
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Having provided care to people in the hospital for over 20 years, I am excited for this transition to primary care services. I look forward to building long-term relationships with my patients and helping to keep —Theodore Mlapah, MD them healthy and out of the hospital. THEODORE MLAPAH, MD Dr. Mlapah attended medical school at the University of Texas Medical Branch, followed by a residency in internal medicine at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine; has been on the medical staff of Holyoke Medical Center since 2006; and has served in various leadership roles, including department chief, vice president of the medical staff, and medical director of Hospitalist Medicine.
patients in the area and surrounding Western Massachusetts communities. “Having provided care to people in the hospital for over 20 years, I am excited for this transition to primary care services,” Dr. Mlapah says. “I look forward to building long-term relationships with my patients and helping to keep them healthy and out of the hospital.” Additional services, including a new orthopedics office; an oncology/ hematology office; and ancillary
diagnostic services such as laboratory testing, digital X-ray, and ultrasound are expected to be available at the location by this November.
THOUGHTFUL BY DESIGN The outpatient center includes approximately 15,000 square feet of modern clinical space within a threestory medical complex. HMC will occupy the first and second floors, creating a centralized destination where patients can access multiple services in one location. “By housing these services under one roof, we can offer patients coordinated care in a comfortable and efficient setting,” Cameron says. The newly remodeled office has been thoughtfully designed. The welcoming, patient-centered environment has spacious, comfortable clinical areas; modern exam and treatment spaces; updated technology that offers highquality diagnostic imaging; a convenient layout that enhances overall care; and ample on-site parking. “The office makes it easier for patients in the Greater Springfield area and surrounding communities to receive care without traveling to the main HMC hospital campus,” Cameron says.
SERVING THE COMMUNITY The expansion also increases access to HMC’s growing orthopedics and oncology services, providing patients with another
Scan this QR code or visit holyokehealth.com/ eastlongmeadow to access the HMC East Longmeadow Outpatient Center page of the HMC website.
convenient option for consultations, follow-up appointments, diagnostic imaging, and ongoing treatment. “By offering care closer to home, HMC also enhances continuity of care while maintaining the personalized service that patients expect from an independent community hospital,” Cameron says. As an independent community hospital, HMC remains focused on investing in services that meet the evolving needs of the region. “Convenient, local access to care is a key component of our long-term growth strategy,” Cameron says. “Expanding into East Longmeadow strengthens our ability to provide exceptional, patient-centered care; enhances access for residents throughout the Pioneer Valley; and reinforces our commitment to preserving independent healthcare for generations to come.”
Now open at the HMC East Longmeadow Outpatient Center: • Adult Primary Care 413.535.4800 • The Work Connection (formerly Occu-Health) 413.525.6003 • Lab Draw 413.534.2500, ext. 5242 Coming soon: • Oncology/Hematology 413.534.2543 • Orthopedics 413.536.5814 • Diagnostic Imaging 413.534.2523
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A LIFETIME OF
SERVICE
A BELOVED HOLYOKE NONAGENARIAN EARNS THE HMC LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR HIS DECADES OF GENEROSITY AND SUPPORT. WHEN HOLYOKE native Carl Eger Jr. speaks, people listen. And what they hear, whether in conversation, a board meeting, or a guest lecture, are words infused with the passion, wisdom, and gratitude that have always been hallmarks of this 90-year-old’s personal and professional life. Eger is now being recognized by Holyoke Medical Center (HMC) for his years of generosity and support as the 2027 recipient of the HMC Lifetime Achievement Award.
IN WITH A BANG Eger was born at Holyoke Hospital in the winter of 1936, the second oldest of five children born to Carl Sr. and Mary Eger. He didn’t enter the world unnoticed. Outside the hospital, a hurricane was raging. “It was the largest hurricane to hit New England, and the center of it was Holyoke-Chicopee-Springfield,” Eger says. As the hurricane pounded the region, inside the hospital, Mary was giving birth to a 13-pound baby boy. Four years later, Eger was back at Holyoke Hospital, this time due to an accident that caused him to lose his right eye. Over the years, he came to think of his injury not as a disability, but as a blessing in disguise. “In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king,” he says.
SERVICE ABOVE SELF Among Eger’s most admirable traits is his humility. For all of his accomplishments and despite his towering presence—he’s 6 feet 6 inches tall—he has maintained a simple philosophy: Service above self. This has been the cornerstone of his career, which includes 45 years of government service at the federal, state,
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Carl Eger Jr. with his wife, Shirley, at Holyoke Medical Center’s 125th Anniversary Gala in 2018
a diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome, which causes weakness, numbness, or paralysis, and a bout with pneumonia. “After that, I went blind in my one good eye,” he says. Still, he is thankful to have entered his 10th decade and grateful to HMC for continuing to help him heal.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
I enjoy nurturing people. It’s always been my instinct. I’ve been the recipient of many blessings just by giving. —Carl Eger Jr.
and municipal levels in various executive and managerial capacities, as well as a second career in real estate. “I enjoy nurturing people,” says Eger, who lives in Holyoke with Shirley, his wife of 61 years. “It’s always been my instinct. I’ve been the recipient of many blessings just by giving.” Eger, a financial supporter of HMC for over 30 years, knows the value of having a local hospital like HMC. “Many people take it for granted, but I don’t,” he says. “It’s a healing mechanism. When you’re in need, when it’s a matter of life and death, HMC is there.” Within the past two years, Eger has had several health problems, including
In addition to supporting HMC, Eger has served on many boards and committees and has chaired the Holyoke Industrial Development Finance Authority, the Holyoke Mayor’s Industrial Development Advisory Committee, and the Holyoke Charter Commission, among others. He’s also served as commissioner of the Connecticut River Basin Council, director of the Private Industry Council of Hampden County, and treasurer of the Massachusetts Economic Development Council. He currently serves as treasurer and is a board member of Holyoke Economic Development & Industrial Corporation; is president and a board member of the Holyoke Taxpayers Association; is vice chair, past chair, and a board member of the Greater Holyoke Salvation Army Advisory Board; and is a board member of H-C Management, Inc. (a subsidiary of Valley Health Systems). For his decades of generosity to and support of HMC and the community at large, Eger will be honored with the HMC Lifetime Achievement Award at the HMC Annual Gala on Feb. 6, 2027.
o become a sponsor, purchase tickets, or congratulate T Carl Eger Jr. with a Tribute Journal advertisement, visit holyokehealth.com/gala27 or call 413.534.2579.
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{ POWER FOOD }
THE CHARM OF CHESTNUTS YOU DON’T HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE HOLIDAYS TO ENJOY THE SWEET, EARTHY FLAVOR OF THESE SEASONAL NUTS. CHESTNUTS ROASTING ON an open fire might bring to mind the classic holiday song, but you don’t have to wait until December to enjoy them. The nuts are actually harvested from late September through November. Produced by trees of the same name, chestnuts are a versatile, often overlooked food. In varied preparations they can be a sweet and savory ingredient, and by themselves they have a unique taste and nutritional profile. Why not bring a few into your kitchen (or hearth), crack them open, and enjoy their roasted flavor?
POWER UP Chestnuts are a great idea if you love the taste of almonds or cashews but worry about their high fat content. You’ll gain energy from the complex carbs inside, without paying the price of a high calorie count. It’s even been shown that eating chestnuts can reduce cravings for less-beneficial high-carb foods. Chestnuts are helpful for anyone with celiac disease or a gluten-restricting diet, as chestnut flour can be used in baking. The nuts contain substances called saponins, which can help fortify the immune system and lower cholesterol, along with flavonoids that may help ward off cancer.
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BUY, STORE, AND SERVE
The wood of the chestnut tree is loaded with tannins, making it a popular choice for barreling wine. Its cultivation goes back thousands of years in China. Before the advent of corn in Europe, polenta was made with chestnut flour, and some medieval European communities were so dependent on this crop that they’ve been called “chestnut civilizations.” As recently as 1900 the chestnut was one of the most common trees on this continent. Then came the “chestnut blight,” which horticulturists blame on the importation of a Japanese variant of the tree that carried a dangerous fungus. The Asian trees were immune, but America’s weren’t, and some 4 billion trees perished. Recent efforts have sought to combine the two types in an attempt to produce a blight-resistant variety that may yet make U.S. chestnut trees abundant again.
Choose chestnuts with deep coloring and a weighty feel in your hand. Keep an eye on them while storing, as they have a tendency to dry out easily. Placing them in a plastic bag and refrigerating them gives you a roughly two-week window to work with. If you decide to go the classic route and roast your chestnuts, be sure to score them with a knife beforehand— otherwise you run the risk of getting hit with exploding nut shrapnel. Other time-tested recipes include using chestnuts in a hearty turkey stuffing— perfect for Thanksgiving—and pairing them with cold-month crops like squash. Kurigohan, a simple Japanese dish composed of chestnuts and rice, makes for a comforting lunch on a chilly day.
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