Meet the New Care Manager – Judy Mazel, MSW

During a recent interview with Judy Mazel, she had the following responses to questions posed to her about her previous work and her present duties for CHD Health & Wellness.

1.             What made you interested in working in integrated care?

The main reason for my interest in integrated care is my belief that all people are entitled to and should receive primary care with an appropriate provider for physical and mental health care. Providing good and consistent primary care, coupled with mental health care, reduces the need for emergency care and is a way to increase preventative care.

2.             Can you briefly describe your experiences related to primary care?

I have worked with an Adult Foster Care provider and Hospice/Home Health Care provider.  Both forms of care are a way to support primary care.

3.             What is your thinking about integration and how it will work for CHD and Caring Health Center?

It is logical to me that CHD and Caring Health Center work jointly to provide integrated care.  Both organizations are reaching out to the same local community. A joint effort will provide increased care to a shared population in the community and therefore help to endure both psychiatric and primary care are received and integrated.


4.             What is your view on the state of health care?

I believe that affordable health care coverage is needed and should be provided for all Americans. I also have concern that primary care doctors are pressured by insurance demands and this can reduce the time providers have for client visits.

5.             What is one thing you would like your readers to know about you?
I believe in a holistic model of health care that incorporates care for a persons mind, body and spirit.


6.             What do you do when you are not working?

When not at work I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I enjoy taking walks in nature and listening to Bluegrass or Reggae music.

Yoga on Fridays

Gardening with Clients

Yesterday in the garden, clients enjoyed the warm and sunny weather as well as tilling the earth. We all weeded for nearly an hour, casting aside unwanted plantings and pesky weeds. We are readying the ground for next week's planting of seeds to grow a number of different herbs, flowers and a few vegetables.

Several clients took turns removing two large root-bound daylilies (which found new homes with staff members). They appeared to enjoy the labor involved in removing the plants, which they had deemed inconvenient to the layout they crafted for the garden.

All clients reported that they will return next week. This, despite the hard labor of weeding during the first class. At next week's class each client will choose a packet of seeds to plant and nurture throughout the summer.

Job Opening at CHD

SAMHSA Project Coordinator Job Description

CHD is actively seeking a qualified clinical professional to coordinate its initiative funded by SAMHSA.

Program description: Continued integration of primary and behavioral health care within programs serving adults diagnosed with mental illnesses in Holyoke and Springfield. The program facilitates coordination of medical, mental health, and social support services including wellness, health promotion, and disease prevention and treatment initiatives.

Position responsibilities: Development and implementation of program policies, procedures and workflows in collaboration with Project Director and Chief Program Officer; supervision of program staff, subcontractors and student interns; overall responsibility for day-to-day operation of the Integration Program; supervision of two Care Managers; oversight of quality assurance and quality improvement processes; coordination of data collection and analysis with the program Data Evaluator; management of client recruitment, marketing and development; participation in ongoing professional advancement opportunities and networking with funding agency; facilitation of the integration of primary care services with psychiatric, therapy, and program social support services.

Qualifications: Masters Degree in related field; clinical or nursing license preferred; minimum two years supervisory and leadership experience; excellent organizational skills; high energy, creative and inspirational leader; experience utilizing Motivational Interviewing to promote change; experience utilizing data to improve service quality; bi-lingual, bi-cultural candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Applicants may apply online at www.chd.org using requisition number 14-0077.

Garden Clinic Beginning in May

One Client's Past-Year Treadmill Use

One male client aged 66 has been the most devoted in his use of the treadmill. Since the treadmill was installed in September 2013, this client has spent an average of 236 minutes on it per month. His total number of minutes on the treadmill, which began at just 1, is now a full 12. Below are graphs of his vital statistics collected during the past year as he used the treadmill. What is interesting is that although his weight has not decreased appreciably, it has remained constant and has not increased. Similarly, although the client's blood pressure was higher than first assessed between start and end treadmill use over the past year, there is visual evidence of improved health as the client's waist circumference has reduced.  

5K Walk, Run, Roll - September 14, 2014