It was quite an evening of great food, dancing and great company! Celebrate Curry is the one time of the year that the entire Curry community - faculty, staff, and our significant others - can all come together.

Special thanks to the following members of the Celebrate Curry committee for putting together a wonderful event: Amy Bianchi, Rocco Cappello, Mary Dunn, Danielle Ferrara-Toomey, Angela Gugliotta, Joan Kroha, Bobbi Leary, Linda O’Connor, Jayne Savioli, and Kathy Wilmot.

In case you missed it, here is a photo gallery of the evening.

The Credit to Curry patrol strikes again. They descended upon the Admission Office on February 2 to surprise Joan Fongeallaz, Assistant to the Dean of Admission, with the Credit to Curry award.

Jane Fidler, couldn’t say enough about Joan. “When I think of Joan, I think of how very blessed the Admission Office is to have her as part of our team. We couldn’t do this job without her. She is among the hardest working and most dedicated employees I have met in my time at Curry. Joan is our go-to person and does anything and everything with a smile.”

Other coworkers added, “Every day she multi-tasks with ease. She has the ability to manage projects, correct problems, and has the sensitivity and kindness to relate to our customers in a remarkable way.” “She brings the best out of all of us. I have such respect for her and her drive and the passion that she puts into her job. She has been such an influence on me.”

Joan, who has been at Curry for three years, was truly honored to be chosen for this award. When asked what her favorite part of her job is, Joan quickly replies, “The people. I could not do my job without the help and support of my coworkers. The great thing about Curry is that everyone helps each other out. And, I love working with the students. They keep me young. It is rewarding to see them when they first come in and follow them through their time at Curry.”

Joan says her least favorite part of her job it not having enough time to do all she wants to do.” I want to do it all for everyone, but it’s not always possible.” Well, we think it is safe to say that Joan is doing an outstanding job with the time she has. Congratulations Joan!

The services of the Curry Counseling Center are available to all students, to help enhance their learning and personal development by providing counseling, consultation and psycho-educational workshops. The staff of the Curry Counseling Center, Dr. Tom Byrne, Pamela Mullins and Catherine Gualtieri Ware (on leave this semester) would also like to remind you that they are available to faculty and staff to provide support and advice in dealing with students in difficult situations. They are fortunate to have two interns on their staff this year, Monica Spivey and Jocelyn Wurts. Monica and Jocelyn are are both in the doctoral program at the Mass School of Professional Psychology.

Whether we interact with students in the classroom, in the office, or on the playing fields, we are all in a position to recognize students who are in trouble. The office of Counseling Services offers the following signals to watch for to identify a student in distress:

• Changes in mood, appearance or behavior
• Traumatic changes in personal relationships
• Drug and alcohol abuse
• Academic difficulties
• Learning problems
• References to suicide
• Leaving school

Tucked away in Smith House, located at 940 Brush Hill Road, many of us may be surprised to learn of the breadth of services provided for our students by the Health Services staff, Director Ellen Kawadler, Nurse Phyllis Scoppettuolo, and Gaye Gould, administrative assistant. Ellen Kawadler, a nurse practitioner has been at Curry for four years. She sums up the function of their office, “We are their health care provider’s office away from home. We are able to provide prescriptions, lab work, gynecological exams, stitches, immunizations and many other services.”

All services are free regardless of a student’s insurance coverage. Only if a student is referred for services outside of Curry, will they be billed from that outside source. As a nurse practitioner, Ellen is able to write prescriptions, but many prescribed medications and supplies are kept at Health Services and dispensed to students at no cost.

Ellen explains, “We are equipped to provide as much care as possible on campus so students do not have to go off campus. We found in the past that if we referred them off campus, they often didn’t go and thus didn’t get the care they needed. We want to keep them from going to the emergency room and receiving costly bills.”

They also work closely with the Counseling Services staff to develop the appropriate course of treatment for students with depression and anxiety and are able to provide medication for depression and anxiety when needed. They do not prescribe medication for ADHD.

In addition to caring for our students, Ellen organized the Flu Shot Clinic for faculty and staff and has already secured the date for next year’s clinic. Ellen has also posted information regarding pandemic preparedness for individuals and families on the Health Services webpage and will be continually updating this.

Living a long and healthy life means something different for everyone. If being in your best health means getting more regular exercise by heading to the gym, then Blue Cross has a healthy incentive: The Fitness Benefit.

When you or a covered family member enroll in a qualified health club or fitness facility, you can receive up to $150 per calendar year toward your club memberships fees. You can claim your fitness benefits after you’ve belonged to your health club and have been a Blue Cross and Blue Shield member for at least four months (in a calendar year). Simply send to Blue Cross the Fitness Benefit Form along with a copy of your health club agreement and dated, paid receipts. You can apply for reimbursement once per calendar year, filed no later than March 31st of the following year.

If being in your best health means better managing and maintaining your weight, then Blue Cross has another healthy incentive: The Weight Loss Benefit.

When you or a covered family member enroll in a qualified Weight Watchers or hospital-based weight loss program, you can receive up to $150 per calendar year toward your program fees. Once you enroll in a qualified program, you must pay first and then submit for reimbursement. Send to Blue Cross the Weight Loss Benefit form and copies of your paid receipts. Weight Watchers Online and Weight Watchers At Home programs do not qualify for the benefit, nor do fees paid for any other weight loss programs.

More information as well as the forms can be downloaded from the Blue Cross website at www.bluecrossma.com. Members may use take advantage of both of these benefits within the same calendar year.

Haven't been to the movies in a while? Well, did you know that all Curry faculty and staff members can purchase discounted movie passes on campus? AMC movie theatre tickets are $5 and Showcase Cinema tickets are $7 You can purchase tickets at the Student Activities Office from 8:30 am to 11:00 am or 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm and from Lois Wallace at the welcome desk in Drapkin Student Center from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.

As a Curry employee, you also have access to Mass Buying Power. Visit http://www.massbuy.com and enter user ID MBP/password MBP to access discounts and /or valued-added incentives towards the purchase of major consumer goods and services through its network of preferred vendors. Savings are available on automobiles, phones, travel, legal services and home remodeling.