SPRINGFIELD — Baystate Health has instituted changes to its hospital visitation guidelines, including extending its visiting hours at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Baystate Noble Hospital in Westfield, Baystate Wing Hospital in Palmer and Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield.
Effective Sept. 2, two visitors at a time are now allowed for patients who do not have COVID-19. Previously, only one visitor was allowed at a time, according to a Baystate Health press release. Visiting hours are also being extended to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
In another change that currently only applies to Baystate Medical Center, two visitors at a time will now be allowed for COVID-positive patients. Previously, no visitors were allowed. Baystate Wing Hospital, Baystate Franklin Medical Center and Baystate Noble Hospital are making preparations to allow visitors for COVID-positive patients as soon as possible.
Red, yellow, green and gray tiers (also called zones) still remain in effect for visitation based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Public Health and state guidelines, but the policy details within the tiers change over time, the release states. All Baystate hospitals remain in the yellow tier.
All visitors must adhere to Baystate Health’s infection control practices: wearing face masks at all times whether in the patient’s room or other areas of the hospital, and frequent hand washing. Visitors with a fever, cough or other COVID-19 symptoms will not be allowed to visit.
Baystate Health regularly evaluates its visitation policy in accordance with the governor, CDC and DPH, and will continue to review county COVID-19 data to determine which tier each county will be in. Visitation is at the discretion of Baystate Health.
To stay up to date and see all exceptions for visitation, visit baystatehealth.org/patients/visiting.
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women is seeking members for the Hampshire-Franklin Commission on the Status of Women, one of 11 regional commissions across the state that strives to represent women and girls in the areas of equality and opportunity.
According to a press release from Regional Commissions Director Tina Games, the mission of the Hampshire-Franklin Commission on the Status of Women is to provide a permanent, influential voice for women and girls across Hampshire and Franklin counties that facilitates and fosters community and inclusiveness. The commission stands for fundamental freedoms, basic human rights, and the full enjoyment of life for all women and girls.
The Hampshire-Franklin Commission on the Status of Women represents all towns and cities in Hampshire and Franklin counties, including Amherst, Ashfield, Belchertown, Bernardston, Buckland, Charlemont, Chesterfield, Colrain, Conway, Cummington, Deerfield, Easthampton, Erving, Gill, Goshen, Granby, Greenfield, Hadley, Hatfield, Hawley, Heath, Huntington, Leverett, Leyden, Middlefield, Monroe, Montague, New Salem, Northampton, Northfield, Orange, Pelham, Plainfield, Rowe, Shelburne, Shutesbury, South Hadley, Southampton, Sunderland, Ware, Warwick, Wendell, Westhampton, Whately, Williamsburg and Worthington.
For more information on the commission and how to apply, visit bit.ly/3QvU2nC.
AMHERST — Two Franklin County teenagers earned accolades and were promoted within the ranks of Civil Air Patrol’s Brig. Gen. Arthur J. Pierce Cadet Squadron in Amherst.
Nathaniel Johnston, 15, of Greenfield, earned Civil Air Patrol’s Mitchell Award and was promoted to cadet second lieutenant, while Northfield resident Matthew Singh, 17, earned his Doolittle Achievement and was promoted to cadet senior master sergeant.
Civil Air Patrol is the civilian, volunteer auxiliary of the United States Air Force. One of its main missions is to encourage and foster civil aviation in community aerospace education programs. The Pierce squadron meets every Monday from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in Dickinson Hall at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and uses the Orange Municipal Airport to train for its emergency services role.
“A small percentage of Civil Air Patrol cadets earn this promotion,” Maj. Steve Lauzon, the unit’s commanding officer, said of Johnston in a press release. “By earning the Mitchell Award, Cadet Johnston has proven himself an exceptional leader and advocate for aviation.”
Officiating the August ceremony were Col. Tim Nelson, the Massachusetts wing commander, and Col. Everett Hume, who serves as the Northeast region commander. On hand to pin the new insignia on Johnston were his parents, Karen and Bill.
Other distinguished guests included Lt. Col. Claire Belden, commander of the Westover-based squadron, and U.S. Air Force Capt. Joseph Kraiem, an assistant professor of aerospace studies at UMass Amherst.
“Cadet Singh is a role model for the younger cadets in our unit,” Lauzon commented in the press release. “Based on his ongoing leadership and character, he is without a doubt deserving of this and future promotions.”
Singh is a senior at Pioneer Valley Regional School in Northfield. On hand to pin on his new insignia was his father, J. Dominic Singh.
According to a Civil Air Patrol press release, the Doolittle Achievement is named for Jimmy Doolittle, a leading figure in aviation and one of the first individuals to earn a doctorate in aeronautics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in 1925. He is most famous for leading an air raid on Tokyo in 1942. For this, he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Four Greenfield students have been awarded $1,200 scholarships through the A.K. Warner Fund for the 2022-2023 academic year. They are: Christian Larouche (Greenfield High School), Ruari Maloney (Ithaca College), Lola Periera Murphy (Four Rivers Charter Public School) and Kelly Trudeau (Franklin County Technical School).
According to a notice from A.K. Warner Fund Secretary Marilyn Hannan, the fund was established under the will of Anson K. Warner to provide financial assistance to Greenfield residents between the ages of 14 and 20. The scholarship is awarded for the purpose of paying room, board or tuition. It may also be used to buy books or other materials needed to procure a good education. The trustees, elected by the citizens of Greenfield, meet annually each spring to determine the recipients.