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MOVERS & SHAKERS
B’ville resident launches ‘The Smile Button’
Baldwinsville resident Debby Shaw recently launched a new product that she hopes will give people a little encouragement and affirmation when they’re having a tough day. The Smile Button features 23 recorded messages such as “Hello, gorgeous!” “You are the best” and “You rock!” Shaw said the breakup of a romantic relationship a couple of years ago prompted the invention. “In trying to make myself feel better, I came up with the idea for
the button,” she said. “I thought this could be my little way of putting some smiles, laughter and positivity out into the world. It’s always nice when you can make someone feel good.” After months of planning, writing, recording and manufacturing, Shaw’s idea is now an actual physical product – a bright red button set in a black base and powered by two AAA batteries. “Put one on your desk, your nightstand, your kitchen table or wherever you want,” Shaw advised. “Press it anytime you’d like to lift your mood.” “I’m so glad I purchased The Smile Button because it lives up to its name,” said customer Beth Nobles of Raleigh, N.C. “Whenever I need to hear a compliment, I reach for it. It adds a bit of brightness to my day.” “I love my button,” exclaimed another customer, Deb Lonczak of Clay. “If I’m having a bad day, I tap The Smile Button and instant smiles occur.” The Smile Button is available for purchase at thesmilebutton.com. Photo courtesy Ron Trinca Photography
CPS Recruitment names Rinaldi as COO
Joy Rinaldi has been promoted to the role of chief operating officer. In this role she will be responsible for the ongoing development and execution of CPS Recruitment’s strategic objectives, financial goals, and continued business growth. Rinaldi joined CPS Recruitment in 2011 as a general manager. Prior to joining CPS, Rinaldi had an extensive career in staffing, recruiting, and public accounting. She is a graduate of Le Moyne College. She also serves on the Golisano Children’s Hospital Advisory Board. Headquartered in Liverpool, CPS Recruitment partners with companies coast to coast to provide professional direct hire recruiting, temporary staffing solutions, contract, contract to hire and payroll process services. To learn more, call 315-457-2500 or visit cpsrecruiter.com.
Crouse Health Foundation president retires
Carrie Berse, president of the Crouse Health Foundation, retired effective Nov. 12. A valued and long-time member of the Crouse Health family, Berse has been leading the foundation since 1993. She said that although she will greatly miss being part of the Crouse team, she is looking forward to having more time to complete personal projects, explore new opportunities and enjoy experiences with her family. In her 28 years of service to our organization, Berse has overseen and grown numerous high-profile signature events for Crouse that have set a high standard for fundraising and other philanthropic efforts in our community, including our Crouse Health Tribute Evening, the Crouse Classic Golf Tournament and Crouse Health Polo for Preemies. Berse has led many major and highly successful fundraising campaigns in support of key Crouse services and programs over the years, including the Kienzle Family Maternity Center; Baker Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; Miron Cardiac Care Center; Pomeroy Emergency Services Department; Pomeroy College of Nursing and more recently, Crouse Addiction Treatment Services. Under her leadership, the Crouse Health Foundation has seen its DECEM BER 2021
Endowment Fund increase substantially over the course of her tenure at Crouse. Berse has also been a highly valued partner and supporter for many Crouse ancillary programs and initiatives, including the Crouse Hospital Auxiliary and Pomeroy College of Nursing. Phyllis Devlin, manager, special events and donor engagement, has agreed to serve as interim executive director. Devlin will oversee found-ation operations while a search is conducted for Berse’s permanent successor.
Joins Oswego Health
Alissa Viscome has joined Oswego Health as the health care system’s new employee experience manager. In her new role, Viscome will be responsible for managing all employee relations and employee engagement programs as well as human resources policy development and management. Viscome brings 18 years of experience to the position as she previously worked for Oswego Industries, Inc. as associate executive director for programs where she was responsible for community engagement, staff recruitment, and retention initiatives, as well as
program development. Viscome is very involved within the local community and actively serves on several boards, including the Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce, Oswego County Workforce Development, Fulton Block Builders, Fulton Family YMCA, and the Parents of Special Children. As a Fulton resident, she enjoys volunteering at Fulton PorchFest and supporting local youth sports with her family. Vice President of Human Resources, Marq Brown shares, “I am pleased that we found a local candidate with such extensive experience as we are confident that Ms. Viscome will help enhance our culture and overall employee experience at Oswego Health.” Viscome earned her master of science in management from Keuka College and bachelor’s degree in sociology and anthropology from Wells College.
Cicero resident earns prestigious fellowship
Cicero resident and Keuka College adjunct instructor of biology Dr. Dominique Derminio said what she enjoys most about teaching is when the light of recognition goes on in a student’s eyes. “My favorite part is when a student goes from completely and utterly confused — they don’t know what to do — to then having that ‘aha!’ moment and seeing everything start to connect,” she said. And the best way to shorten the trip from “huh?” to “aha!,” she believes, is through active learning. Dr. Derminio, who earned her Ph.D. in biochemistry at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, will be sharpening her active learning tools after being awarded a 2021 PALM Fellowship. The PALM Network — PALM stands for Promoting Active Learning and Mentoring — guides instructors in adopting active learning methods in undergraduate courses through networking, professional development, and personal mentors. It is funded by the NSF Research Coordination Network in Undergraduate Biology Education. “It’s a network of educators throughout the country ranging from community colleges to R1 schools who engage in teaching as active learning,” said Dr. Derminio. “It’s about not just lecturing, but getting students involved.” The popular instructor, known as “Dr. D.” among her students, has long had a love of educating others. “I’ve always loved teaching. I even started teaching my ‘poppy’ long division at age 8, because he never learned it,” she said of her grandfather. Before her Ph.D., Dr. Derminio earned her bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Keuka College in 2011 and her master’s degree in psychiatry/molecular biology at the University of New South Wales in Australia. Dr. Derminio is the first Keuka College faculty member to earn a PALM fellowship. They’re not exactly easy to come by; only four were awarded nationally this year. HOLI DAY/GIVI N G BACK EDITION
