Baystate Health

04/27/2026

Baystate Health is more than a hospital system—it’s part of the heartbeat of ! 💙

From providing life-saving care to supporting local jobs and investing in our communities, 's impact reaches far beyond our walls.

The final part of our BusinessWest series highlights key aspects of our organization that many may not know, such as:

🩺 We employ more than 11,000 people across the region.
🏥 We’re home to the area’s only Level I Trauma Center.
🤝 We provide care for all, regardless of ability to pay.
🎓 We help train the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Because when healthcare is strong, our communities are stronger. 💙

🔗 Learn more about us via the link in the comments below!

Thought Leadership Why Baystate Health is Essential to Western Massachusetts By Contributor April 27, 2026 Tags: Baystate Health Essential Heart of the Region Western Massachusetts Post navigation Previous Previous post: How to Approach Data Security Concerns — and Compliance

04/22/2026

Happy ! 🌎

From blooming tulips to the flowering trees that line our campuses, nature plays an important role in creating a calming, healing environment for our patients, staff, and visitors at our Baystate Medical Center location.

Today is a great reminder to appreciate the beauty around us—and to continue caring for the planet that we all share! 🌷

04/21/2026

It's time to register for the 8th Annual Baystate Health Nurse’s Week 5K/1K! 🏃‍➡️💙

This fun, family-friendly event supports the Baystate Health Foundation, helping fund professional development opportunities for nurses—so they can continue bringing the highest quality, evidence-based care back to our community.

🗓️ Saturday, May 9
⏰ 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 Ashley Reservoir, Holyoke, MA
💲 Early bird pricing: $20 (ends Friday, April 24!)
🥩 North Elm Butcher Block food truck on-site for post-race eats!

Bring the family and register TODAY via the link in the comments below!👇

04/20/2026

We’re not just caring for today's community—we’re building the future of healthcare for generations to come!⚕️

In today's BusinessWest editorial, learn how our organization is preparing to serve for the next century through:

🏥 Investments in patient care, technology, and facilities.
🩺 Supporting and growing our workforce.
💡 Using innovative tools like AI to enhance the patient experience.
🛡️ A continued focus on safety and clinical excellence.
🤝 Expanding access to affordable, high-quality care.

As a not-for-profit health system, every step forward is an investment back into our and Health New England community.

🔗 Read part 2 via the link in the comments below, and keep an eye out for the final feature next week!

Building the Future  

04/17/2026

Take a minute out of your day to show our community some love! 💙

Congratulations to Christine Wood, Restaurant Associate at , and Oksana Lukomsky, RN at Baystate Medical Center on being finalists for Explore Western Mass' Howdy Awards! 🎉

This annual celebration recognizes the individuals in our community who go above and beyond in public-facing roles. To even be selected as a finalist is a huge accomplishment and honor, as dozens of nominations are received from around the region for each category. 🏅

📲 The Howdy Award for Hospitality Excellence is the people's choice, so visit the 🔗 in the comments below to vote by 4/22!

04/15/2026

It's time to celebrate our winners! 🎉

We are proud to recognize Bianka Jameson, RN and Emma Buffone, RN as recent DAISY Foundation Award recipients—an honor that celebrates nurses who go above and beyond to provide compassionate, patient-centered care.

🌼 Bianka Jameson, RN, Baystate Medical Center, was nominated by a young patient who arrived in labor feeling unheard and afraid. Through her calm presence, advocacy, and dedication, Bianka helped transform that experience into one of empowerment, trust, and confidence. The patient felt safe and even emphasized that, “Bianka changed my life forever.”

🌼 Emma Buffone, RN, Baystate Wing Hospital, was nominated by a patient’s family for the lasting impression she made during a challenging hospitalization. Emma’s empathy, communication, and professionalism ensured the family felt informed, supported, and cared for throughout their loved one’s stay. What's even better is Emma's career in nursing is just getting started!

Please join us in congratulating Bianka and Emma for their incredible impact and commitment to 's standard of exceptional care! 💙

04/13/2026

For more than 140 years, has been part of the fabric of Western Massachusetts. 💙

What started as a small farmhouse hospital in Springfield has grown into a large healthcare system dedicated to caring for our neighbors—because that’s exactly who we are.

In this first editorial, from a 3-part series published by BusinessWest, we explore:
🔹 Our early beginnings in 1870
🔹 The City of Springfield's evolution
🔹 The inception of Health New England
🔹 The profound community connection that still drives us today

We’re proud of our deep roots—and even more excited about where we are headed.

🔗 Catch up on our organization's history via the link in the comments below, and stay tuned for part 2 next week!

Thought Leadership How Baystate Health Has Served Western Massachusetts for More Than 140 Years By Contributor April 13, 2026 Tags: Bay State Baystate Behavioral Health Hospital Baystate Children's Hospital Baystate Health Baystate Medical Center Post navigation Previous Previous post: GCC to Presen...

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! 👏