Baystate Health

Our PURCH Learning Community Mentors at the UMass Chan Match Day Celebration stand eagerly waiting to hand students their envelopes! Today is an exciting day for medical students across the country, and we are delighted to welcome the newest members of our Baystate Health family! Congratulations to the students who matched with us. We’re thrilled to help you grow into the future leaders of healthcare. Here’s to learning, discovering and making a real difference in the lives of our patients.

Ken Jones, a security officer at Baystate Wing, was recently recognized at Military Appreciation Night at the Springfield Thunderbirds. Throughout his career, Ken has always proudly worn a uniform serving the public in various capacities, including the United States Navy, as an Airport Rescue Firefighter, Emergency Medical Technician, and Security Officer. Ken shares: "I joined the Navy while in my senior year in high school to serve my country, travel, and see the world. After completing boot camp in San Diego, Calif., I went to Radioman Communication A School in San Diego and became a radioman. My first duty station was at the Naval Facility Base overseas in Diego Garcia, where I served for one year. My second duty station was aboard the USS Moinester (FF-1097) in Norfolk, Va., where I served for two and a half years. I Petty Officer. After leaving the Navy, I was hired as an airport rescue firefighter and an Emergency Medical Technician, at Bradley International Airport Fire Department. I retired after 20 years of service. I later worked part-time as a firefighter at Kaman Aerospace Fire Department in Bloomfield, Conn. In my current position, I am working part-time as a security officer for Baystate Health. Now as the security officer at Baystate Wing Hospital, my goal is to keep our patients, team members, and visitors safe. Throughout my career, I have always worn a uniform, serving the public in various capacities. All the jobs I've had in my career I believe to be purposeful decisions."

We were honored to serve as a proud sponsor of the Springfield Regional Chamber's Outlook 2025 event last week. Our team had the privilege of gaining valuable insights from keynote speaker Rick Klein, vice president and Washington, D.C. bureau chief for ABC News. The event also featured an engaging discussion on the region’s economic outlook, with contributions from esteemed leaders including Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll, Rep. Richard Neal, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, and Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation President Doug Howgate. Thank you to the Springfield Regional Chamber for hosting such an impactful event!

A note to our community: This post discusses pregnancy and infant loss "He was my voice, my supporter, and my shoulder to cry on." In life’s most heartbreaking moments, the right caregiver can make all the difference. For this family, that person was Nurse Grant Sampson in our Labor, Delivery, Recovery, and Postpartum unit. “On 12/22/24, my son Levi Dylan Holmes was born sleeping. As you can imagine it was the hardest day of my life. Our nurse, Grant Sampson was the only reason I was able to get through it. From the moment Grant entered our labor and delivery room, I knew they had selected the right nurse for our situation. Grant came in with led candles and made our room cozy and told us he was going to take care of us the way he’d take care of family. And he sure did. Grant held my hand, cheered me on, gave me a shoulder to cry on, and never ever let me give up. He was my voice when I couldn’t speak which was extremely special to me. He asked my wishes and respected them. When we pressed the call bell, Grant was always there within seconds. He shared personal stories to help me get through it, which was so special and comforting. There are people in this world who were born to be a nurse- Grant is one of those people. Grant made the hardest day of my life easier for me. To this day my family and friends who were there still talk about how amazing he was. I will never forget that hard day, but I also will never forget Grant. The one who got me through it. Thank you, Grant.” Grant’s kindness, compassion, and unwavering support left an unforgettable impact during a time of immense grief. His dedication to his patients is a true testament to what it means to be a nurse. Congratulations to Grant on receiving the February DAISY Nurse Award—an honor so well deserved. ??

Congratulations to Mikeala Kozlowski, our latest DAISY Award winner at Baystate Wing Hospital! Her nomination came from a grateful family member who shared these heartfelt words: "My sister was a patient at Baystate Wing Hospital, and while all the staff were wonderful, Mikeala rose above the rest. She was a lighthouse that shone brightest, guiding my sister to safer waters. She took time from her busy shift to shower her, brush her hair, and bring her a fan—small acts that made a world of difference. She did all of this while caring for other patients, with such grace and compassion that I felt compelled to let Baystate know they have an angel on their staff. For the first time in a long time, my sister truly felt human again, and that is a gift. Thank you to the staff at Baystate Wing and thank you to Mikeala.” Mikeala, your kindness and dedication are truly inspiring. Thank you for making such a meaningful impact!

A heartfelt congratulations to Michaela Chapin, PCT, Baystate Wing Hospital, for being recognized with the PETAL Award! Michaela was nominated by a grateful patient who shared: “Being an older patient with a ruptured hamstring injury that left me unable to walk for the first time in my life is not an ideal situation for a nurse’s aide to walk into. Michaela got close. She smiled, engaged in pleasant conversation, asked if I needed anything. She then did a very uncommon thing - she listened attentively and acted on what we talked about. She did her job very professionally, with grace and competence, and put me at ease. We need more Michaela's in this world. Thank you, Michaela.” Michaela’s kindness, professionalism, and genuine care make all the difference. Please join us in celebrating her and the compassion she brings to patient care every day!

Wow, once again our community has amazed us! Thanks to your incredible generosity, along with the hard work of our volunteers, sponsors, 94.7 WMAS, and the Baystate Health Foundation team, we’ve raised $256,235 to support the lifesaving care at Baystate Children’s Hospital. Thank you for making miracles happen!

We are in full swing for day 2 of the 94.7 WMAS Radiothon for Baystate Children's Hospital. All donations stay location to support care for our communities youngest. Help us help kids: ?? Call 413-794-1111 from 6 am to 6 pm ?? Visit https://bit.ly/radiothon25 ?? Text WMAS Kids to 51555

We are honored to share that Denise R. Jordan, through her role as a Trustee of Baystate Health, was elected to the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association (MHA) Board of Trustees. MHA is the united voice for the commonwealth’s hospitals, health systems, and healthcare providers. Each term, one of MHA’s Board seats is reserved for a trustee from one of its member organizations. Serving as this trustee representative, Denise will be a critical voice for the community as the next chapter of Massachusetts healthcare is written. “We are fortunate to have Denise’s extraordinary experience as a community leader guiding our Board and the millions of people it touches,” said MHA President and CEO Steve Walsh. “She will help us ensure the patient remains at the center of every conversation, statewide initiative, and policy reform our commonwealth undertakes.” Denise will help support the recovery of local hospitals and health systems, all of which have absorbed a relentless series of pressures dating back to the beginning of the pandemic. The Board will advocate with a united front to ease the capacity pressures, workforce shortages, and administrative burdens that are now challenging timely patient care across the commonwealth, and to restore financial stability to the state’s most important sector. In the coming year, MHA and its Board will also build upon Massachusetts’ world-renowned legacy for healthcare innovation. Its priorities will include advancing state-of-the-art care outside the hospital, reimagining what an empowered healthcare profession looks like, and closing patient care disparities in new and creative ways. “Healthcare begins and ends not in our hospitals -- but in our neighborhoods. It is my honor to help connect communities and providers as a member of the MHA Board,” said Denise. “I believe in the promise of our healthcare system and the unique power it has to bring people together, advocate for their needs, and help them lead the successful lives they deserve.” “Baystate Health has been fortunate to have Denise’s community leadership on our Board of Trustees,” said Peter D. Banko, President & CEO, Baystate Health. “Born and raised in Springfield, she represents the voices and healthcare needs of those across Western Massachusetts, and when this is coupled with her exceptional business leadership experience within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, I know her involvement and participation on the MHA Board of Trustees will be invaluable and keep those we serve front and center.” Congratulations, Denise!

The 94.7 WMAS Radiothon is LIVE — and the miracles are already happening! Tune in today to hear inspiring stories from families and care teams at Baystate Children's Hospital and see how every dollar brings hope and healing to kids in our community: bit.ly/Radio34 Here's how we can make miracles happen together: ?? Call 413-794-1111 from 6 am to 6 pm ?? Visit https://bit.ly/radiothon25 ?? Text WMAS Kids to 51555 ?? Stop by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame from 6 am to 6 pm on March 4-5.