Baystate Health

04/10/2026

🐾 Tomorrow is National Pet Day!

Meet some of the four-legged members of our extended Baystate Health and Health New England family. Pets have been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, ease loneliness, and improve overall health , and we see that reflected in our own teams every day.

Wellness doesn’t always look like a doctor’s visit. Sometimes it’s a loud purr at the end of a hard day.

Post a photo of your pet or tell us your pet’s name in the comments! 👇

04/07/2026

From Springfield, MA ➡️ Accra, Ghana: one physician is making a world of difference!

's Dr. Kais Zakharia recently traveled to the Center of Excellence for Liver and Digestive Health - CELDH, GHANA to teach a life-changing, minimally invasive procedure—ERCP—for the very first time in the country’s history.

Before this, patients facing serious biliary conditions often had no choice but to undergo invasive surgery or travel abroad for care. Now, thanks to this training, local doctors can provide safer, more effective treatment right where patients need it most.

Even more inspiring? Dr. Zakharia plans to return each year to continue this work, building lasting impact for both patients and providers.⚕️

This is what it means to be rooted in care, locally and globally. 🌍 Dive deeper into the mission via the link in the comments below!

The name is a mouthful, but the procedure is minimally invasive. In Ghana, the procedure had never been done before. That is, until January.

04/03/2026

We threw a birthday paw-ty for someone very special today... 🎉🐾

Isa, our beloved facility dog, turned 4 and we celebrated on the Playdeck at Baystate Children’s Hospital with a day full of smiles, creativity, and fun.

Patients had the chance to adopt their very own stuffed animal doggo, bring them through a “vet check-up,” design custom collars, and color fun pictures. Of course, no celebration would be complete without Isa’s favorite treat… pup cups! 🐶

With music playing and laughter all around, Isa spent her day surrounded by friends—bringing comfort and joy, just like she does every day.

Happy 4th Birthday, Isa! Thank you for all the happiness you bring to our patients and families. 💙

04/02/2026

Excellence in action. 💙

We’re proud to celebrate our first-ever Imaging Excellence Award winner, John Ackourey, and all of our incredible nominees across ! 🎉

John, a Patient Service Representative, consistently goes above and beyond to support patients and colleagues—whether it’s stepping in during urgent situations, ensuring a safe environment, or simply taking the extra time to help someone in need. His compassion, initiative, and teamwork truly set the standard for excellence.

We’re also grateful for our honorable mention nominees, whose dedication and care continually make a difference in the lives of our patients, each and every day.

✨ Kylea Shea & Autumn Bartnik – teamwork under pressure in a critical ICU case
✨ Jason Costa – calming and guiding a patient through a stressful experience
✨ Joe Verallis – always stepping in with positivity and support
✨ Sherry Piantoni – going above and beyond to keep patient care uninterrupted
✨ Danielle Drouin – leading with patience and expertise in a complex exam

Join us in congratulating this inspiring group and thanking them for all they do! 👏

03/30/2026

Pick a number and follow the line to discover a physician’s “why.”⚕️

This , we’re honoring the dedication, compassion, and purpose that guide our physicians every single day. Four doctors share what makes them feel—at the end of even the longest days—that they’re doing exactly what they’re meant to do.

We’re grateful for the impact they make on our patients, our community, and each other. Join us in celebrating the doctors in your life! 💙

03/29/2026

A gastroenterologist with Baystate Health completed a medical mission to Ghana to provide the first training in a specialized, minimally invasive procedure ever offered in the country.

03/27/2026

It’s , and we’re tackling some of the most common nutrition misconceptions. 🍽️

In this video, ’s Assistant Clinical Nutrition Manager, Jay Patruno, breaks down:

🥩 The truth about protein consumption.
🥫 Why not all processed foods are bad.
📱 How to evaluate the nutrition advice you see online.

Nutrition can be confusing—but it doesn’t have to be! Our registered dietitians are here to provide trusted, evidence-based guidance to help you make informed choices for your health. 💙

03/26/2026

We are proud to recognize Laura Owens from Baystate Medical Center and Karen Foster from Baystate Wing Hospital as our recent recipients! This honor celebrates the extraordinary contributions of our nursing support staff and non-nursing team members who go above and beyond for patients and colleagues.

🌸 Laura Owens, Clinical Nutrition Manager, was named the first BMC PETAL Award recipient of 2026. Nominated by colleagues, Laura is known for her compassionate leadership, mentorship, and dedication to excellence. Her team describes her as someone who leads with purpose, supports others unconditionally, and consistently elevates patient care—even in the most challenging moments.

🌸 Karen Foster, PCT, was recognized following multiple nominations, including one from a patient who shared how Karen’s empathy, reassurance, and kindness made a profound difference during a difficult hospitalization. Her ability to connect, comfort, and uplift patients truly reflects the heart of this award.

Please join us in congratulating Laura and Karen for their well-deserved recognition and for the meaningful impact they make every day! 💙

03/24/2026

The envelopes are open, and the future is bright! 💌

On Friday, March 20, our residency programs celebrated with incredible excitement as medical students discovered where they will spend the next phase of their training. From emotional letter openings to words of encouragement from residents and program directors, it was a day full of pride and possibility! 🌟

We’re especially proud of our 25 – UMass Chan Medical School PURCH track students who matched into programs across the country. 🇺🇸

Congratulations to the next generation of doctors, your journey in medicine is just getting started and we can’t wait to see where it leads! 💙

03/20/2026

Happy first day of spring🌷

Kick it off with a quick stretch, a deep breath, and a walk in the fresh air. Here's to sunshine, new beginnings, and everything in bloom.

Baystate Health and Health New England, stronger together.

03/16/2026

Preparation can make all the difference in an emergency...

A routine visit at Baystate Gastroenterology in Springfield turned into a life-threatening situation when a patient recovering from knee surgery experienced severe bleeding after their stitches unexpectedly opened. 🪡

Thanks to American College of Surgeons Stop the Bleed training our trauma education team had recently provided, and quick access to life-saving hemorrhage control equipment, the team quickly recognized the seriousness of the situation and stabilized the patient before they were transported to Baystate Medical Center. 🏥

This story is a powerful reminder that someone experiencing severe bleeding can lose their life in as little as 3-5 minutes. Training programs like STB help ensure that when the unexpected happens, our teams are ready to respond with confidence and care.

These STB kits were placed alongside AEDs throughout hospitals and medical offices through the support of the Baystate Health Foundations — ensuring staff have the tools they need when seconds matter. 🩸

➡️ Swipe through to learn how preparation, teamwork, and fast action helped make a critical difference.