Senior Management
Dr. Michael Purdy, OD, MSPH
Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Purdy received his BS in Biology in 1999, a Doctor of Optometry from The New England College of Optometry in 2003, and a Master’s in Public Health in 2019. He joined HCHC in 2010 and has worked for over 19 years in Community Health, including his role as Chief Clinical and Community Service Officer. In 2023, he was appointed CEO for HCHC..
Vickie Dempesy
Chief Operating Officer
Vickie joined HCHC as the Chief Operating Officer in 2020. She brings over 30 years of experience with increasing responsibility in healthcare organizations, strategic planning, operational efficiencies, with a goal of high quality clinic care while promoting patient, staff & provider satisfaction. Prior to joining Hilltown Community Health Centers, she directed outpatient services at Shriners Hospital for Children where she was responsible for performance improvement and implementation of change working with inter-departmental teams, resulting in dynamic performance and improvement projects. Vickie is honored and proud to be with the Hilltown Community Health Center team where she finds that staff embody courage, dedication, passion, integrity, kindness, and selflessness.
Debra DiStefano, PhD
Chief People and Equity Officer
Dr. Debbie Lee-DiStefano serves as the Chief People and Equity Officer for Hilltown Community Health Center. In her current role she collaborates with staff to create an inclusive space for both staff and patients. She oversees HR and works with the HR Manager to create policies and procedures that speak to the mission and vison of HCHC. She oversees career development and recruiting, building connections with local institutions to build a strong, consistent, culturally competent primary care workforce. She partners with local organizations such as the Hilltown CDC, the Community Foundation of Western Mass, the City of Amherst and the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission to foster awareness regarding equity and inclusion and how these fit into discussions of health care.
Dr. DiStefano served as a professor of Spanish at Southeast Missouri State University for 18 years. She is a Latin Americanist whose area of expertise is the history and cultural production of the many populations of Asian descent in Latin America. She has published a monograph, two co-edited collections and several articles, as well as delivered several presentations, regarding the experiences of and literary production of writers of Chinese and Japanese descent. She also explores topics of mestizaje and historicity of racist ideology that permeated the founding philosophical discourse of Spanish American society. She co-created the Asians in the Americas symposium, which produced four symposia along with an edited collection. After moving to Massachusetts Debbie taught ELA, ESL and Dual Language for Springfield and is licensed to teach ESL in Massachusetts.
Department Heads
- Jaime Gogol, Clinical Operations Manager
- Kiirsten Cooper, School-Based Programs Manager
- Marisela Fermin-Shon, NP, Medical Director
- Cynthia Magrath, Dental and School-Based Operations Manager
- Bridget Rida, Human Resources Manager
- Karen Rida, Billing Director
- Kim Savery, Director of Community Programs
- MaryLou Stuart, DDS, Oral Health Director
- Franny Huberman, MSW, LICSW, Behavioral Health Director
Board of Directors
Lee Manchester, Chair
Chesterfield, MA
Nancy Burke, Vice-Chair
South Deerfield, MA
Dr. John Follet, Treasurer
Cummington, MA
Alan Gaitenby, Clerk
Huntington, MA
Emma Aldana
Springfield, MA
Matt Bannister
Hatfield, MA
Kathryn Jensen, PhD
Plainfield, MA
Jennifer Moyston
Amherst, MA
Jennifer Pappas
Russel, MA
