BRiDGES Tobacco Prevention Reality Check Program hires youth action specialist

Observer-Dispatch (Utica, NY)

Abby Jenkins Wrolsen has joined BRiDGES Tobacco Prevention Reality Check Program as a youth action specialist. She is familiar with both legs of Advancing Tobacco-Free Communities (ATFC), bringing her experience as community engagement coordinator with the ATFC covering Oswego County and through her experience as a Reality Check youth. Wrolsen joins BRiDGES Reality Check Program Lead Coordinator Valarie Webb, who started in her position with Reality Check in January. Webb came with years of experience working with youth at the YMCA and other youth serving agencies, and she has already developed and implemented numerous activities to involve youth in meaningful opportunities to create positive change. If you or your organization are interested in obtaining a free tobacco activity tool kit, contact BRiDGES at 315-697-3947.

IN OTHER NEWS:

** The Center for Leadership Excellence (CLE) at Mohawk Valley Community College has announced its board of directors for 2021-22. Three new members -- Romesh Amarasinghe, Utica National Insurance Group, Melissa Mann, Utica First Insurance Company and Cymil Hamilton, Upstate Cerebral Palsy -- have joined the 2021-22 CLE Board of Directors, which includes the following officers and members: Presiden Jessica Watson, Central Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired; Vice President Sarah Lam, Mohawk Valley Community College; Secretary Gina Dier, ICAN; Treasurer Jo-Ann Ricci, GPO Federal Credit Union; Immediate Past President Matthew Briggs, Insurance Office of America; Brant Ford, Ford English Financial Group; Christopher Dovi, First Source Federal Credit Union; Michael Geer, Eastern Air Defense Sector; Jennifer Hagen, United Way of the Mohawk Valley; Jill Heintz, Mohawk Valley Community College; John Matthews, Northland Communications; Greg Mattacola, Strategic Financial Services; Kyle Strife, Nelson Strife Financial Group.

** Vincent Fiocco has joined the Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) Orthopedic Group. Fiocco earned his master of science in physician assistant studies from Long Island University Brooklyn, in Brooklyn. He earned his bachelor of science in biology at SUNY Albany. He is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the New York State Society of Physician Assistants. Fiocco can be reached at the MVHS Orthopedic Group office at 1903 Sunset Ave., Utica, at 315-624-8150.