MiraVista Behavioral Health Center, 1233 Main Street, Holyoke, MA (2026)

01/12/2026

Welcome!

Today, we celebrate our newest colleagues — the nurses, clinicians, coordinators, techs, and trusted care partners who chose to bring their heart, their skill, and their purpose to MiraVista.

Each new team member brings something powerful: Compassion. Curiosity. Strength. Steadiness. And together, that’s how we bring it for the individuals who entrust us with their care.

To our new hires: we’re so glad you’re here. To our team: thank you for welcoming them with the same warmth you bring to patient care every day. To our community partners: your trust in us fuels the work we do.

Here’s to the impact we’ll make — together. Welcome aboard. Let’s bring it!

01/10/2026

Bring It Spotlight: Elizabeth Sandstrom, BSN, RN, Associate Chief Nursing Officer

At MiraVista, “Bring It” is more than a campaign — it’s a calling. And leaders like Elizabeth (Beth) Sandstrom, BSN, RN, remind us every day what it truly looks like in action.

Beth brings heart, strength, and confidence to her work — and she sees those same qualities reflected in the team around her.

Here’s what she shared:
“I am so grateful for an amazing team! MiraVista staff does such an amazing job with patients, consistently showcasing the passion they have. Managing psychiatric patients can at times be a difficult and demanding job, but to do it with grace every single day is truly remarkable.”

Her words say it all: Courage. Compassion. Commitment. That’s what it means to Bring It.

If you’re a nurse who brings heart.
If you bring strength when it matters most.
If you bring confidence in who you are and the work you do.

Then bring it to MiraVista. Join a team that sees you, values you, and lifts people up — patients and staff alike.

www.miravistabhc.care/careers

01/09/2026

🌿 Honoring Strength, Healing, and Hope: Recognizing Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month

January invites us to pause and honor the courage it takes to seek help, the resilience required to begin again, and the compassion that fuels every step of recovery. Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month isn’t just an observance — it’s a reminder that healing is possible, support is real, and no one has to walk their road alone.

At MiraVista, we see every day how powerful connection can be.

People arrive carrying heavy stories, hard moments, and hopes they sometimes barely dare to say out loud. They trust us. They trust themselves. And with the right support, treatment, and care, lives begin to shift.

Across our inpatient programs, our Opioid Treatment Program (OTP), Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), Medication-Assisted Recovery Services, and peer-supported pathways, our teams bring compassion and skill to meet each person exactly where they are. Whether someone is taking their first step toward recovery or rebuilding after setbacks, we walk beside them with dignity, encouragement, and respect.

This month, we recognize:
• Individuals in treatment, choosing healing even when the path feels hard.
• Families and loved ones, who provide strength and steady love.
• Our MiraVista staff, who bring patience, expertise, and heart into every interaction.
• Our community partners, who help create the safety net that makes recovery possible.

Addiction does not define a person. Recovery is not out of reach. And meaningful support changes everything.

If you or someone you care about needs help, we’re here — with open doors, open hearts, and evidence-based treatment that is life-friendly— accessible, flexible, and built around the realities people are living every day.

www.miravistabhc.care/413-319-3027

01/07/2026

Today, the sun is setting a little later. Sunset yesterday, 4:08pm. Sunset today, 4:09pm. A whole minute later which means the days are slowly getting longer. It’s not a dramatic change, but it’s noticeable if you pay attention — and maybe that’s the point. So much of what strengthens our mental well-being happens this way: gradually, steadily, in small moments that don’t always announce themselves but still make a difference.

This gentle lengthening of daylight is a reminder that brighter stretches often arrive in increments. One extra minute of light. One calmer breath. One honest conversation. One choice to be a bit kinder to yourself. These are the steps — quiet but powerful — that move us forward.

At MiraVista, we see every day how meaningful these small shifts are. Whether someone is managing the weight of a difficult season, recovering from a crisis, or simply trying to find steadier footing, positive change rarely comes all at once. It builds. It grows. It returns — just like the light does, reliably and without pressure.

So as the afternoons brighten and each day offers a little more space for warmth, reflection, and renewed energy, we hope you’ll also give yourself permission to notice the ways your own light is returning. Even the smallest glimmers matter.

If you or someone you support needs help navigating mental health or substance use challenges, MiraVista is here — with compassion, expertise, and a belief in every person’s capacity to heal.

And just as the days begin to brighten for longer periods of time, we’re here to add just a little more light.

01/06/2026

Karyn Rossacci, DNP, MSN, NP-C, RN, CCRN, Chief Nursing Officer; Mary Anna Dymek, Director of Utilization Management; and Kelly Bongarzone McManus, RN, BSN, Director of Infection Prevention commute together on most days. And on most days, their trip is uneventful.

On most days.

However, on their way into MiraVista Monday morning, they came upon a significant car accident. Without hesitation, they pulled over—guided by instinct, compassion, and a shared sense of responsibility for another person’s well-being.

They stayed with the driver, offering calm, reassurance, and steady support until EMS and highway responders arrived and safely assumed care.

This is what it means to Bring It!

In moments like these, titles matter less than character. Presence under pressure. Compassion in uncertainty. A willingness to step in and care when it matters most. These are the qualities Karyn, Mary Anna, and Kelly carry with them — and bring — into every moment.

We are incredibly proud of Karyn, Mary Anna, and Kelly, and of our entire Vista Teams, and deeply grateful for the care, heart, and integrity they carry with them — and bring — always.

!

TaraVista Behavioral Health Center

01/06/2026

Today we recognize Three Kings Day

A day that marks a journey guided by light, faith, and the spirit of giving. Three Kings Day reminds us of the power of hope and generosity—especially during times of uncertainty.

May this day bring moments of reflection, connection, and kindness to all who celebrate, and may the light that guided the journey continue to inspire care and compassion in our communities.

01/05/2026

New Year, Gentle Goals.

As a new year begins, resolutions don’t have to be about perfection or pressure. From a mental health perspective, the most sustainable goals are rooted in compassion, not criticism.

How to make resolutions that support your well-being:
• Start small. Big changes happen one step at a time.
• Focus on how you want to feel, not just what you want to achieve.
• Choose goals that add care, not stress, to your life.

How to stick with them:
• Be flexible—progress isn’t linear, and that’s okay.
• Celebrate effort, not just outcomes.
• Check in with yourself regularly and adjust as needed.
• If you miss a day, don’t quit. Restart with kindness.

This year, let your resolutions support your mental health, build resilience, and honor where you are right now. Growth happens when we meet ourselves with equal parts patience and grace.

01/05/2026

As the holiday break comes to a close, many adults and children are beginning the return to work, school, and familiar routines. For some, this transition feels smooth and even comforting. For others, it can bring a sense of heaviness, worry, or unease. Wherever this moment finds you, it’s okay to take it at your own pace.

Gentle Tips for Returning to Work & School:
Start small. You don’t have to be “all the way back” on day one. Focus on one task, one class, or one meeting at a time.

Name what you’re feeling. Nerves, sadness, irritability, or worry are common during transitions. Simply acknowledging them—without judgment—can help ease their intensity.

Re-establish simple routines. Earlier bedtimes, predictable meals, and consistent morning and evening rhythms help signal safety and stability, especially for children and teens.

Build in moments of grounding. A few deep breaths, a short walk, gentle stretching, or a quiet pause can help regulate emotions throughout the day.

Stay connected. Encourage children and teens to check in with a trusted adult. For adults, leaning on colleagues, friends, or family can make the transition feel less isolating.

Offer yourself grace. Focus and productivity may take time to return. Transitions require energy, and it’s okay to move through them gently.

A Note for Those Who Support Youth
For educators, counselors, and youth-serving professionals: if a young person is struggling beyond what can be supported in the school setting, timely care can make a meaningful difference.

MiraVista Behavioral Health Center offers a direct admission process for inpatient psychiatric treatment that is designed to be barrier-free and helps families avoid the Emergency Department whenever appropriate. This approach supports quicker access to care while reducing stress for both youth and caregivers.

If you’re unsure whether a higher level of support is needed, our team is always available to talk through options and next steps. Reach out. We are here. miravistabhc.care

01/04/2026

We want to extend our sincerest thanks to the students of the Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy Empowerment Club for the incredibly thoughtful cards they created for our patients.

Each card was more than just colorful and creative—it was filled with genuine, caring words that spoke directly to the heart. The time, intention, and kindness behind every message truly shined through, offering comfort, encouragement, and moments of connection for individuals who may be navigating some very difficult days.

Acts like this remind us how powerful compassion can be, and how meaningful it is when young people choose to show up for others in such a sincere way. These cards are a beautiful example of how small gestures can make a big impact—bringing hope, warmth, and a reminder to our patients that they are seen, valued, and not alone.

Thank you to the Empowerment Club students and advisors for sharing your creativity, empathy, and heart with our community. Your kindness travels farther than you may ever know.

Springfield Public Schools - Massachusetts

01/04/2026

Bring it — the compassion, the care, the commitment.

At MiraVista, bringing it means meeting people with dignity, patience, and respect—especially when they’re navigating some of the hardest moments of their lives. It means creating space for healing, honoring courage, and recognizing the strength it takes to ask for support.

In our Opioid Treatment Program, that commitment comes to life through team members like Jenn Gagne, RN, whose work is grounded in connection, trust, and a deep respect for each person’s journey. Every day, she witnesses resilience, growth, and the power of human connection in recovery.

Below, Jenn shares what this work means to her—and why it continues to matter:
I find my work in our OTP at MiraVista incredibly meaningful and rewarding. The patients we work with often feel so stigmatized that simple acts of listening, caring and supporting them on their recovery journey can have such a profound impact. Whether it’s someone just entering treatment or someone who has sustained many years in recovery, every day I witness the resilience of people and it’s truly incredible.

I have the opportunity to celebrate milestones, support people through crisis, challenges or relapse. The trust they put in our team to be vulnerable takes strength on their part. They share some of the most challenging parts of their lives with us. I have never lost track of how hard and humbling it must be for people to do this. I feel grateful to be a part of their journey.

If you bring compassion, curiosity, and heart to your work—bring it to MiraVista.

www.miravistabhc.care/careers

01/02/2026

January is Mental Wellness Month — a gentle reminder to pause and check in with ourselves and one another.

After the pace and emotion of the holidays, this time of year can feel tender for many. It’s a season that invites us to slow down, take a breath, and notice how we’re really doing — without pressure or expectation.

Mental wellness isn’t about having everything figured out. It’s about allowing space for rest, reflection, and honesty. Some days feel lighter, others heavier, and all of them are valid.

This month, we’re holding space for conversations that reduce stigma, build understanding, and remind people they don’t have to carry things alone. And for those whose mental health needs may require a higher level of care, we want you to know that support is available.

If you or someone you care about could benefit from learning more about mental health or substance use treatment options at MiraVista, we’re here to help guide that next step with compassion and respect. You’re always welcome to reach out to klee@miravistabhc.care to learn more.

MiraVista Behavioral Health Center

01/12/2026

01/10/2026

01/09/2026

01/07/2026

01/06/2026

01/06/2026

01/05/2026

01/05/2026

01/04/2026

01/04/2026

01/02/2026

Address

Telephone

Website

Alerts

Contact The Practice

Shortcuts

Share

Category