IN BRIEF
CENTER TWP — Dr. Aaron Hofmeister joined Butler Veterinary Associates.
He is a 2002 graduate of Washington and Jefferson College and a 2006 graduate of the Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences.
Hofmeister completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Purdue University in 2007, becoming a general practitioner with a specialty in ophthalmology and dentistry.
JEFFERSON TWP — Concordia Lutheran Ministries received a $10,000 grant from Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield for the mental fitness of its residents and the surrounding community.Concordia is buying five large touch-screen computers with Mindfit software with the grant to be placed in the Cabot campus to promote the benefits of exercising the mind and keeping mentally fit.A display of the new equipment will be featured on July 26 during Concordia's annual Summer Festival from noon to 6 p.m., sponsored by Highmark.Recent research has shown 22 percent of those age 71 or older show clinical signs of mild cognitive impairment. Through routine mental exercise, people can take an active role in exercising mental sharpness.For information on community mental fitness programs, contact Paula Sypulski, director of adult day services, at 724.352.1571, Ext. 8271 or adultdayservices@concordialm.org.
HERMITAGE, Mercer County — First National Bank hired Caren Renz as vice president of private banking.Renz is responsible for delivering financial help to affluent households and professional firms in the Mercer, Lawrence and northern Butler county areas.Renz's financial experience spans 30 years and includes banking, investments, real estate and insurance. She is licensed in personal and commercial insurance, real estate and Investments Series 7 & 63.Graduating magna cum laude from Thiel College, Renz earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration.She lives in Hermitage.
Schellhaas Funeral Homes of West View and Bakerstown recently renewed its affiliation with the Lofty Oaks Association, a New Hampshire organization dedicated to reforestation and conservation efforts in Pennsylvania.For each funeral service Schellhaas does, it has a tree planted to provide a living memorial in honor of the deceased and to renew the forest life of Pennsylvania.When the tree is planted, a certificate of planting is sent to designated family members and friends.
GROVE CITY — Orthopedic surgeon Dr. David J. Dean recently joined the medical staff of the Grove City Medical Center.A member of Wolf Creek Medical Associates, the physician group providing specialty care to the patients of Grove City Medical Center, he will be seeing patients at 450 Hillcrest Ave., Grove City.Dean received his Doctor of Osteopathy at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his internship and residency in Orthopedic Surgery with St. Joseph Health System in Warren, Ohio.He may be reached at 724-264-4864.
Melisse Maser was named director of clinical education and advanced practice at Butler Memorial Hospital, providing professional development for the clinical staff of Butler Health System.A registered nurse with multiple higher degrees and certifications, Maser has been the stroke program coordinator at Butler Memorial, having led the hospital's efforts to be awarded Joint Commission of Primary Stroke Center certification.Her work also garnered a Highmark QualityBlue Best Practice Award in 2008.Before joining the hospital, Maser worked for the Veteran's Foundation at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Pittsburgh, and for UPMC's Presbyterian Hospital.
