Personnel

OLBH announces heart care expansion

RUSSELL, Ky. -- Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital (OLBH) announces cardiologist Dr. Yogendra Prasad has joined the OLBH medical staff and Dr. Michele Friday as part of the expansion of Bellefonte Heart Care.

Prasad earned his medical degree at Darbhanga Medical College in India. He also earned a post-graduate degree from Sarojini Naidu Medical College including a residency at All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi, India. Prasad completed a residency at the Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center in the Bronx, N.Y., where he was chief resident. He also completed a cardiovascular disease fellowship at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx. Prasad has an extensive cardiology background with experience in echocardiography, nuclear cardiology, cardiac catheterization, congestive heart failure and general cardiology. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Prasad can be reached at Bellefonte Heart Care at 606-833-0144. For information on OLBH physicians, visit the online OLBH medical directory at the hospital's Web site at www.olbh.com.

New professional team joins Starlight

BARBOURSVILLE -- Starlight Behavioral Health Services presents part of its new professional team.

Amy Ingles, Medicaid director/CEO, has a BA in speech pathology from Marshall University and has more than 10 years experience with MR/DD, performing as a service coordinator, training development specialist and clinical director. Her primary areas of interest are human resource development and principles of motivation.

Jack Ingles, supervised psychologist/CFO, graduated from Marshall University with a BA in political science and MA's in journalism and clinical psychology. Ingles has 16 years experience in MR/DD and has worked as a direct care staff, home supervisor, skills specialist and behavior support specialist. He has previous experience as a counselor working with troubled youth. Ingles' areas of interest include working with children with severe behavioral issues, personal safety techniques and crisis response.

Kathryn Forsyth, crisis director, has BA degrees in psychology and sociology from Ohio University, MA in education and counseling from Lindsey Wilson College and seven years experience with MR/DD. Forsyth is presently in the dissertation phase of her Ph.D in psychology. Her areas of specialty are forensic patients, intense behavioral needs and sex offenders with MR. She is a member of Kentucky's Counselor Association.

Marielle Madden, director of Service Coordination, has a BA in psychology from Marshall University and 11 years experience with MR/DD. Madden has provided services in nearly all aspects of service provision including Direct Care, Program Development, Communication/Behavior Support Coordinator, Clinical Supervisor and Service Coordination. She received Positive Behavior Support Training through the Autism Training Center. Her primary interest is working with individuals with dual diagnosis (Mental Illness and Mental Retardation).

Carrie Spangler, RN, is currently the director of Nursing Services. She graduated in 1998 from the Collins Career Center LPN program in 1998. Spangler then began working with the MR/DD population in 2003 before graduating from Mountain State University in 2007 with a BS in nursing. She is also currently pursuing a degree in Healthcare Management.

Rebecca Hubbard, behavior analyst, graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BA in speech pathology and summa cum laude with a MA in mental health counseling both from Marshall University. Hubbard will complete training and supervision to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in July 2009. She also completed a 900-hour internship at Prestera's Crisis Center and attended several workshops on Discrete Trial Training conducted by John McEachin, co-director of the Autism Partnership Foundation. Hubbard works primarily with children with autism, providing Discrete Trial Training. She has 10 years experience with MR/DD, specializing in developing cognitive communication and discrete trial programs and behavior support programs.

Mark Smith, skills development specialist, graduated with honors with a BA in counseling and rehabilitation. He has 16 years experience with MR/DD and has been a licensed social worker since 1994. Areas of interest include accessing and developing community resources, advocacy and positive social change.

Starlight provides services to individuals with mental retardation and developmental disabilities through the Title XIX MR/DD Waiver program. Look in next Sunday's edition for the rest of their professional team.

St. Mary's Medical welcomes new physicians

HUNTINGTON -- St. Mary's Medical Center announces Dr. Amanda K. Bennett has joined its medical staff. Bennett will be serving patients from the new St. Mary's Family Care Center, Highlawn, located in the Highlawn Building in Huntington next to the medical center.

Bennett received her medical degree from Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University, and she also completed her residency there in the Department of Family Practice. Bennett is accepting new patients. To schedule an appointment, call 304-529-0483.

Regina Campbell, RN, MSN, director of St. Mary's Provider Relations Department, said in a press release "We are pleased to have Dr. Bennett as part of the St. Mary's family of employees, helping serve the families of the Tri-State with great medical care."

Somerville & Company welcomes new associates

HUNTINGTON -- The Partners of Somerville & Company, P.L.L.C. announces the addition of Matthew L. Brotsky and Tracy L. Sears to the professional staff.

Brotsky is a native and resident of Scott Depot, W.Va., and joins the firm as an associate after graduating from the Lewis College of Business at Marshall University where he received a bachelor of business administration degree with a major in accounting. He is pursuing his masters of business administration degree at Marshall University with plans to take the CPA exam.

At the firm, Brotsky will concentrate his efforts by providing accounting, auditing and tax related services to a wide range of clients. He is an associate member of the West Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants and a member of the Huntington Chapter of the West Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants. You may reach Brotsky via e-mail at matt.brotsky@s-co.com.

Sears is a native and resident of Huntington. She joins the firm as an associate after graduating from the Lewis College of Business at Marshall University where she received a bachelor of business administration degree with a major in accounting. Sears is also pursuing her masters of business administration degree from Marshall University with plans to take the CPA exam.

At the firm, Sears will concentrate her efforts by providing accounting, auditing and tax related services to a wide range of clients. She is an associate member of the West Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants, a member of the Huntington Chapter of the West Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants and the Women 2 Women Committee of the Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce. You may reach Sears via e-mail at tracy.sears@s-co.com.