NORTHAMPTON — The Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce has hired Claire Kelly as senior manager of investor and community relations.
Kelly brings broad skills and deep experience in entrepreneurship, educational programming and event management to the role. She also has a strong appreciation for the local community, having lived in the Pioneer Valley for the past 10 years.
Before coming to the Chamber, Kelly spent seven years as founder and director of Educational Experiences Abroad, a leading custom academic service provider that specialized in study abroad programs, primarily in Cuba. She successfully navigated the fast-changing regulatory environment in the U.S.-Cuba travel industry, and delivered distinct and impactful educational experiences and programs for a diverse group of clients. Prior to that, she directed business development activities and designed custom program at Amherst-based Spanish Studies Abroad.
Kelly holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Gettysburg College and a Master of Arts degree in Spanish linguistics from Middlebury College. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her Aussiedoodle, and is an avid gardener, kayaker, and hiker.
HOLYOKE — Kidney Associates at Holyoke Medical Center is scheduled to open on Nov. 1, with two locations, one at the hospital campus at 10 Hospital Drive, Suite 301, Holyoke, and a second location at 2150 Main St., Springfield. Both offices are currently scheduling appointments and accepting all patients.
Led by nephrologists Dr. Balaji Padmanaban Athreya and Dr. Shaji Daniel, this new service will provide care for patients with chronic kidney disease, dialysis treatments and transplant care. Common conditions that may warrant a referral to our nephrology team include chronic kidney disease, protein in urine, blood in urine, hypertension (high blood pressure), low sodium and/or potassium levels, urinary tract infections, and kidney stones, dialysis and transplantation needs.
Athreya completed a bachelor of medicine and surgery degree at Thanjavur Medical College in India before completing senior house officer roles in general surgery, and accident and emergency medicine in London. He completed a residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in nephrology and hypertension at Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center in New York. Athreya has been a member of the medical staff at Holyoke Medical Center since 2000.
Daniel completed his bachelor of medicine and surgery degrees at the University School of Medicine, Kerala, India. He then completed a residency at the University School of Medicine Calicut, India. Following these, he underwent an internal medicine residency in Ireland and was awarded the prestigious membership of the Royal College of Physicians in Dublin, Ireland. Daniel then completed a fellowship in nephrology at the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland and underwent further training at the University School of Medicine in London, Ontario, Canada. After relocating to western Massachusetts, he trained at Baystate Medical Center before he began practicing nephrology and transplantation medicine in the region for the past 15 years. Dr. Daniel has been a member of the medical staff at Holyoke Medical Center since 2008.
NORTHAMPTON — Samantha L. Graves has joined The Royal Law Firm.
While in law school, Graves worked as a legal assistant at Hooker & Hooker Law Firm in Northampton, practicing elder law. She worked closely with clients and financial institutions to assist with client needs. She was also able to assist with guardianship and conservatorship cases.
During law school, Graves was the president of the Public Interest Law Association where she planned silent auctions to raise funds for summer stipends for students.
Graves graduated cum laude from Worcester State University with a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice, and a minor in business administration. She obtained her juris doctor from Western New England University School of Law in Springfield.
Hyundai dealers give $100K to
children’s hospital
Country Hyundai and the Hyundai dealers across western Massachusetts have teamed up to present $100,000 in support of pediatric cancer research to Baystate Children’s Hospital, through the Hyundai Hope On Wheels initiative.
Carla Cosenzi, president of Country Hyundai, and her fellow Hyundai dealers expressed her deep personal connection to this cause, stating, “This cause holds a special place in my heart, and being able to contribute towards finding a cure means the world to me.”
Country Hyundai is headquartered in Northampton. Hyundai Hope On Wheels is a nonprofit committed to finding a cure for childhood cancer. Launched in 1998, Hyundai Hope On Wheels provides grants to eligible institutions nationwide that are pursuing critical research aimed at improving treatments and saving lives. In 2023, Hyundai Hope On Wheels will surpass a lifetime total donation of $225 million in support of nearly 1,300 childhood cancer research grants at 175 medical institutions.