NSMC News Releases
North Shore Medical Center (NSMC) honored exceptional physicians and staff for their leadership, excellence and commitment to patients at an award ceremony on Friday, November 1, 2019 at the Salem Country Club. The Physician of Excellence, Dr. E Augustus Holyoke Memorial and Outstand New Physician Awards are some of the highest awards offered by NSMC and the awarded winners display the best of the organization.
Physician William V. Kastrinakis, M.D., was awarded with the Physician of Excellence Award; Senior Vice President of Operations, Mary Jo Gagnon won the Dr. E. Augustus Holyoke Memorial Award; and Ariel D. Otero, M.D., and Sameer C. Shah, M.D., were both awarded with the Outstanding New Physician Award.
NSMC Physician of Excellence Award – William V. Kastrinakis, M.D.
The Physician of Excellence Award is the highest honor presented by the NSMC medical staff and recognizes physicians who have made outstanding contributions to NSMC, the medical profession and the community.
William V. Kastrinakis, M.D.
Dr. William Kastrinakis, of Beverly, received the Physician of Excellence Award in recognition of his exceptional surgical skills and deep commitment to the well-being of his patients. In his roles as Chief of General Surgery at NSMC and Surgical Director of the Mass General/North Shore Cancer Center, Dr. Kastrinakis has been a leader in advancing quality in surgical care and has been instrumental in improving NSMC’s surgical oncology, and colorectal and bariatric surgery programs.
Dr. E. Augustus Holyoke Memorial Award – Senior Vice President of Operations, Mary Jo Gagnon
Dr. Holyoke, for whom the Holyoke Award is named, was an eminent 18th-century Salem physician who cared for generations of patients and had a tremendously positive impact on the health and well-being of his community. The winner of the Dr. E. Augustus Holyoke Memorial Award this year is recognized for her vision and commitment to the North Shore community.
Mary Jo Gagnon
Mary Jo Gagnon, of Salem, has worked at NSMC since she was in college and currently serves as Senior Vice President of Operations. Gagnon began her career at NSMC as an intern at the Salem Hospital School of Medical Technology and since then has taken on myriad roles and increasing responsibility at NSMC, including Laboratory Director, Vice President of Strategic Services and Vice President of Women’s Health and Pediatrics.
(Pictured l-r: Mitch Rein, M.D., NSMC Chief Medical Officer, with Mary Jo Gagnon, Senior Vice President of Operations)
Her most recent undertaking was overseeing NSMC’s $230-million campus expansion project, the largest capital project in the organization’s history that includes a new emergency department and the Epstein Center for Behavioral Health. This project expanded the NSMC Salem Campus and enabled the consolidation of NSMC Union Hospital and Salem Hospital. Gagnon’s dedication, tenacity and vision contributed significantly to the success of this consolidation and will improve the lives of NSMC’s patients and North Shore community for generations to come.
Outstanding New Physician Award – Ariel D. Otero, M.D., M.P.H. and Sameer C. Shah, M.D.
The NSMC Outstanding New Physician Award is presented to a physician or physicians early in their medical careers who exemplify a commitment to clinical excellence and collegiality and have made a significant impact in the clinical setting.
Ariel D. Otero, M.D., M.P.H.
Ariel D. Otero, M.D., M.P.H., of Saugus, serves as the Medical Director of Adult Inpatient Psychiatry and is admired by his colleagues for providing the highest quality of care to NSMC’s behavioral health patients.
Dr. Otero joined NSMC in 2015 and distinguished himself as a strong leader dedicated to the success of his patients and NSMC.
Sameer C. Shah, M.D.
Hospital medicine physician Sameer C. Shah, M.D., of Melrose, joined NSMC in 2016 and now serves as the Medical Director of Pulmonary Medicine where his he has earned the respect of his peers for his clinical skills and effectiveness in teaching others.