FarmersWeb joins alliance
FARMERSWEB has joined the Hudson Valley Food & Beverage Alliance.
The group, founded by Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp., brings organizations within the food and beverage industries together, helping area businesses to forge strong partnerships. FarmersWeb, an online marketplace connecting local farms with chefs and wholesale buyers in the Hudson Valley and New York City area, makes it possible for wholesale buyers ”“ restaurants, schools, corporate kitchens, caterers and retail stores among others ”“ to shop online at any time for nearly 500 seasonal products, including produce, meat, poultry, dairy and specialty items.
New hospital chief
HEALTHQUEST has appointed JAMES F. CALDAS as president of PUTNAM HOSPITAL CENTER.
Caldas has more than 25 years of experience at an executive level. He has led improvements in clinical quality, patient satisfaction, physician satisfaction, and employee engagement. Caldas received his bachelor”™s degree from St. Joseph”™s College in Philadelphia and has MBA and MPH degrees from Columbia University in New York City.
Previously Caldas had served as the executive vice president of Catholic Health Services of Long Island ”“ as the president and CEO of the Eastern Division ”“ and the president and CEO of Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C. Prior to that, he served as the executive vice president and chief operation officer at Christiana Care Corporation in Wilmington, Del.
GOOD DEED BY LOCAL TAXI COMPANY LAUDED
ARON B. WIEDER, Rockland County Legislator, presented three men with Distinguished Service Awards for their collective efforts to find and return a wallet lost during a taxicab ride. The presentation ceremony took place prior to a recent meeting of the county Legislature.
Wieder had responded to a constituent”™s call about his wallet, which contained a substantial amount of money and important documents and which he believed fell in the taxi as he was exiting. With assistance, Wieder identified the owner of the taxi, JEAN M. ANDRE, and upon a search the wallet was discovered under the taxi seat with its contents untouched.
“Sometimes in life, it takes big people with big hearts to do little things,” said Wieder”¦. This is an example of individuals who are concerned about the plight of others and who reflect the values of this caring community. These actions saved this gentleman from circumstances from which he would have difficulty overcoming.”
Trapp named honoree for fundraiser
THE HUDSON VALLEY WALK TO CURE ARTHRITIS will take place May 3 at Thomas Bull Memorial Park in Montgomery. KEVIN TRAPP, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in reconstruction with Crystal Run Healthcare, has been selected as the 2014 Medical Honoree to represent the Arthritis Foundation, which hosts the event.
It is expected that more than 500 walkers will participate in the event that features a three-mile walk (with an optional one-mile route), a Kids”™ Fun Run, Kids”™ Fun Zone and the Dog Pen ”“ an expo that offers information on arthritis in pets, along with music and refreshments. Sponsorship opportunities are available, ranging from $1,000 to $10,000.
Preserve receives grant from Ulster Savings
THE ULSTER SAVINGS CHARITABLE FOUNDATION recently awarded a $5,000 grant to the MOHONK PRESERVE to assist in the expansion of its volunteer program.
The program, which has 350 volunteers, functions in support of the preserve”™s mission to protect the Shawangunk Mountains by inspiring people to care for, enjoy and explore the natural world.
The Ulster Savings Charitable Foundation was formed in 2003 to assist the community in areas of housing, economic development, education, and health and human services.
Child life specialist appointed
MICHELLE FERGUSON has been appointed child life specialist by Orange Regional Medical Center in Middletown. She will be part of the pediatric health care team and will work closely with pediatric patients and their families to help them effectively cope with their hospital visit or illness through play, preparation, education, distraction and self-expression activities. She will provide emotional support and encouragement throughout a child”™s hospitalization while providing information, guidance and education about upcoming tests, surgeries or other procedures to all family members. Working with an interdisciplinary team that may include physicians, nurses and social workers, Ferguson aims to reduce children”™s fears and anxieties while working with an interdisciplinary team that may include physicians, nurses and social workers.
“Children may have certain worries about being hospitalized for any reason,” said Theresa Fay Conte, ORMC”™s Nursing Service Administrator for Women and Children. “Ms. Ferguson will help in reducing those fears and assist the children and their families overcome the stress and anxiety associated with being in the hospital. The goal is to make it a more positive experience.”
Ferguson has extensive experience in the applied behavior field specifically in analyzing and assessing children”™s behavioral needs, implementing programs and behavior intervention plans. Most recently, she was a child life specialist at North Shore University Hospital. Ferguson earned her bachelor”™s degree in psychology from Long Island University and a master”™s degree as a child life specialist from Bank Street College in Manhattan.
Two named to United Way board
UNITED WAY OF THE DUTCHESS-ORANGE region has welcomed two new members to its board of directors, which now has 18 members. MICHELLE S. O”™REILLY is a certified public accountant at O”™Connor Davies L.L.P, with 14 years of public accounting experience. MICHAEL S. ROSENBERG is dean of the School of Education and a professor of special education at SUNY New Paltz with more than 25 years of experience in his field. New members were nominated for their leadership positions in business, government, or community organizations and their dedication to United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region”™s mission.
