Compiled by Debra Scherban. Please send items to dscherban@gazettenet.com.
J. Aleah Nesteby, a nationally recognized trans health provider, who holds a master of science in nursing, joins Northampton Family Practice at 22 Atwood Drive in Northampton.
Nesteby, who will be the new director of LGBTQ Services for Cooley Dickinson Health Care, previously worked at Baystate Health, where she has spent the past 10 years working to ensure availability of compassionate health care for the LGBTQ community in Western Massachusetts.
Her role will be both administrative and clinical and aims to improve access to health care for lesbians and transgender people, a need identified in Cooley Dickinson’s most recent Community Health Improvement Plan, according to a prepared statement.
Nesteby received her master’s degree from MGH Institute of Health Professions in Charlestown, and has pursued specialization in Transgender Health and LGBTQ Health. She has led workshops, lectures and training programs for medical students and residents, and is a recipient of a Tufts University School of Medicine educational research grant for transgender student curriculums.
She attended Antioch College during her undergraduate years, and worked in reproductive health and STI prevention in San Francisco, California prior to coming to Massachusetts.
Nesteby is a member of the World Professional Association of Transgender Health (WPATH), and a provider-volunteer for the online peer-to-peer consultation service TransLine.
Two eight-week classes that teach life management practices are being offered in Northampton by Dr. Ruth Folchman, a licensed clinical psychologist and certified group psychotherapist.
Both classes aim to help participants see more clearly mental, emotional and behavioral patterns that fuel stress, anxiety and depression, according to a prepared statement.
“Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy for Depression and Anxiety” will be held on Tuesdays from 6 to 8:30 p.m., Jan. 31 to March 21
“Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction” will be held on Wednesdays from 1 to 3:30 p.m., Feb. 1 to March 22.
Classes will be held in the group room at 40 Center St., Northampton.
Two free orientation/introduction sessions are offered for each of these classes.
Go to ruth@drruthfolchman.com for more information, including the fee, or call Folchman at 582-6900.
Area blood drives
As freezing temperatures and harsh weather grip much of the nation, the American Red Cross urges eligible donors to make an appointment to give blood or platelets to help meet the constant need for blood this winter.
Millions of people have been taking to the roads, rail and air to celebrate the holiday season, which causes fewer donors to be available and can lead to a decline in blood and platelet donations. In addition, severe winter weather and seasonal illnesses can temporarily prevent some from giving. Donors with all blood types are needed now.
To schedule an appointment to donate, use the free Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Following are some upcoming local blood donation opportunities.
Jan. 6, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., Stanton Hall, 26 Russell Road/Route 20, Huntington
Jan. 9, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., South Hadley Public Library, 2 Canal St., South Hadley
Jan. 10, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., Thornes Market, 150 Main St., Northampton
Jan. 12, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., WEBS America’s Yarn Store, 75 Service Center Road, Northampton
Jan. 13, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., University of Massachusetts Student Union, 41 Campus Center Way, Amherst
Jan. 14, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Williamsburg First Congregational Church, 4 North Main St., Williamsburg