OBS Staff
Pete Gazzillo, MBA, RD, LDN, CPT, Program Director - Pete is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian who holds an MBA with a concentration in healthcare, a degree in Dietetics, and is an IFPA Certified Personal Trainer. He is the chairman for the Massachusetts Board of Licensure for Dietitians and Nutritionists. Pete is nationally certified in adult, child, and adolescent weight management. He is a member of the American Dietetic Association and multiple Dietetic Practice Groups. Pete has been working with the women and children of Berkshire County for over 15 years. He lives in Pittsfield with his wife and two children.
Cathy Marchetto, RN, BSN, Program Coordinator - Cathy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Vermont, and has over 23 years of experience working with children and adolescents. Cathy works to ensure that all components of the Operation Better Start program are integrated and synchronized, leading to a positive experience for all families involved. Cathy is active in a variety of professional and community service organizations, and holds special expertise in pediatric education and grant- writing. Cathy lives in Pittsfield with her husband and two daughters.
Mark Snowise, MD, Physician Advisor - Dr. Snowise acts as the supervising physician for the OBS Nursing staff and works with the team to develop evidence based practice guidelines for Medical Nutrition Therapy. He attends regular staff meetings and provides clinical oversight. Dr. Snowise completed his family medicine residency in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and his sports medicine fellowship at Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine. He has integrated a full sports medicine practice into his primary care practice located in Lee, MA. Mark lives in Pittsfield with his wife and three children.
Karen Barker, RN, AS, BA - Karen has an Associates Degree in Nursing and a Bachelors Degree in Psychology. She brings her 12 years experience as an RN to our Berkshire Nautilus Family Fitness Program. Karen is able to use her health background to educate our families on the role fitness has in over all health and disease management. She make this experience "real" through a hands on approach, introducing fun cardiovascular and strength training exercises in a state-of-the-art fitness center. Karen lives in Pittsfield and enjoys all forms of exercise and outdoor activities.
Sandra Barzowskas, RN - Sandra provides Perinatal Primary Care Services for Operation Better Start. Her focus is on perinatal teaching and coordination of services through both individual and group counseling. She works with a vast referral network of services for pregnant and postpartum women and their families. Sandra has worked as a Registered Nurse in obstetrics and gynecology for many years, including charge nurse at the former Women's Healthcare Associates and outpatient departments at Berkshire Medical Center. Sandra has two grown children and lives with her husband in Pittsfield.
Allyse Burro, BS Nutrition, CPT, CLC - Allyse is the Operation Better Start Nutrition Manager for Berkshire County Head Start. She received a BS in Nutrition from the University of New Hampshire, and is certified through the National Strength and Conditioning Association as a Personal Trainer. She works with adolescents and their parents in the Operation Better Start Fitness Program at The Berkshire Nautilus. In addition, she is a nutrition counselor for women, infants, and children at the Berkshire North WIC program, and works regularly with pregnant and postpartum women as a Certified Lactation Counselor. Allyse lives in North Adams.
Lorrie Harrington, BSN, RN - Lorrie provides Perinatal Primary Car Services for Operation Better Start. Her focus is on perinatal teaching and coordination of services through both individual and group counseling. She works with a vast referral network of services for pregnant and postpartum women and their families. Lorie has over 20 years of experience working with women and children. She has worked as a Registered Nurse on BMC's mother/baby unit and at the former Women's Healthcare Associates. She has also worked for BVNA doing mother/baby and child/adolescent home visits. Most recently, she was Program Coordinator/Case Manager for Project H.E.R.O.A. She lives in Dalton with her husband and two children.
Joan Johnston RN, MSN, CS-FNP - Joan has practiced as a family nurse practitioner in the pediatric arena for over eleven years. She has over thirty-five years of professional experience in a variety of roles such as clinician, educator, administrator, grants writer, and consultant. In collaboration with primary care providers and other multidisciplinary health team members, Joan contributes to the assessment and management of Medical Nutrition Therapy diagnoses for OBS clients and their families. Joan has two grown children and lives in Dalton with her husband.
Lisa Kuczarski, RD, LDN - Lisa is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian who brings with her 22 years of expertise in managing nutritional care for both pediatric and adult patients. She has been with Operation Better start for over seven years. Lisa has achieved national certification in child and adolescent weight management. In addition, she is a member of the American Dietetic Association and its nutrition education for the public, woman's health, pediatric, public health, diabetes, and sports nutrition practice groups. Prior to her years at OBS, Lisa was the Nutrition Coordinator for Kaiser Permanente's Northeast Division, and also functioned as Chief Clinical Dietitian/District Dietitian for Marriott Corporation. Lisa enjoys outdoor activities and plays competitive tennis. She lives in Pittsfield with her husband and son.
Jennifer Slonski, RD, LDN, CPT - Jennifer has a Bachelor's degree both in Nutrition Science and Psychology, and is currently working toward her Masters degree in Applied Nutrition through Russell Sage College. Jennifer received her certification as a fitness instructor through Aerobics and Fitness Association of America, as well as her personal trainer certification through Fittour. Jennifer works with children and families seen in the Operation Better Start program, providing them with nutrition counseling, and education. She also serves as part of the training team in the OBS Fitness Program at Berkshire Nautilus. She is a member of the American Dietetic Association and the Western Massachusetts Dietetic Association. Jennifer lives in Pittsfield and enjoys gardening, and outdoor activities.
Eleanor Yost, RN, BSN - Elly provides Perinatal Primary Care Services for Operation Better Start. Her focus is on perinatal teaching and coordination of services through both individual and group counseling. She works with a vast referral network of services for pregnant and postpartum women and their families. Elly has worked as an RN in obstetrics and gynecology for over 30 years. She has worked with Project H.E.R.O.A. and the BMC Neighborhood Health Center. Elly has four grown children and lives in Lanesbourgh with her husband.
Georgette Bentz, Program Assistant - Georgette provides support to the multidisciplinary team in her role as program assistant. She has over 10 years of experience in the healthcare field. Georgette also works in the office of the Surgical Specialist of Western New England. She lives in Pittsfield with her husband and two children.
Linda Miller, Program Assistant - Linda provides support to the multidisciplinary team in her role as program assistant. She has worked in BHS healthcare for over 15 years and brings her 30+ years of secretarial experience to this busy clinical practice. She lives in Dalton with her husband and son. For more information on Operation Better Start call Linda at 413-445-9243.
