Governor Appoints Commissions to Address Veterans' Health and Quality of Life

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BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration has announced the appointment of members to two new commissions established under the HERO Act: the Veterans Alternative Therapy Working Group (VAT) and the Veterans Quality of Life Commission (VQL). These commissions will explore treatments and develop solutions aimed at improving the well-being of veterans in Massachusetts.

The HERO Act, signed into law in August 2024, includes provisions for the creation of these commissions to examine innovative therapies and enhance veterans' quality of life.

The Veterans Alternative Therapy Working Group will evaluate the potential of psychedelic therapies, including psilocybin, ketamine, and MDMA, for treating mental health disorders in veterans. The group will analyze research and expert opinions to assess the safety and effectiveness of these treatments under medical supervision.

According to Veterans Services Secretary Jon Santiago, this working group will provide evidence-based guidance on potential treatments for conditions such as PTSD and depression.

The members of the Veterans Alternative Therapy Working Group are Franklin King (Chair), John Bradley, Paul Morrissey, Paul Jones, Rob McLaughlin, Jason Main, Michael Allard, Roxanne Sholevar, Sharmin Ghaznavi, and Colin Beatty.

The Veterans Quality of Life Commission is tasked with studying and developing proposals to improve the overall quality of life for veterans in Massachusetts. The commission will focus on areas such as employment, healthcare access, and housing stability. It will collaborate with veterans’ organizations and policy experts to create actionable recommendations.

Veterans Services Secretary Jon Santiago stated the commission will identify areas for improvement and develop solutions based on the needs of veterans.

The members of the Veterans Quality of Life Commission are Cory Ahonen, Scott Pita, Leroy Ashwood, Ashley Booker, Al Tenorio, Sarah Bateman, Senator Dylan Fernandes, Sergeant Ryan Puzzo, Bill LeBeau, Robert Breaker, and Melissa Alden.

The establishment of these commissions indicates a focus on evidence-based approaches to veteran care in Massachusetts.

 

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Soccer Hall of Fame Adds Members, Awards Scholarships

Community submission
PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- The 2026 CIAO Soccer Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place at Berkshire Hills Country Club on Thursday.
 
The Hall of Fame's mission is to preserve the sport's history in Berkshire County, to honor excellence within the game and to make a connection between the generations that bring communities together. With players who last played on a soccer field in Berkshire County in the 1960s to the scholarship winners at the banquet on May 14th who played their last high school game in the fall of last year, we are achieving our goal. 
 
It is worth noting that this class of inductees is stellar. We have four County MVP selections, 14 All-Berkshire selections, eight All-Western Mass selections and, and nine captain honors, five four-year varsity starters and one five-year varsity starter. 
 
The players were introduced by committee chairmen Al Belanger and Patrick West. The scholarship winners were introduced by Chris Dumas, a member of the CIAO Soccer Hall of Fame committee. The photographer for the evening was Ricco Fruscio. Over the past 21 years, the scholarships awarded to high school seniors in Berkshire County have topped $250,000.  
 
The 2026 Inductees:
Katie Dumas Sturm (Wahconah 2015) was a hard-nosed, and relentless four-year starter for Wahconah. She was a two-year captain in the middle of the field, scoring and assisting on clutch goals in big games. She was rewarded with being named All Berkshire, and All Western Mass in her senior year. She is married to Brent Sturm (who is also being inducted into the hall of fame this year) and has a son Banks and a 7-week-old Everett Michael. She works at General Dynamics. 
 
Brent Sturm (Wahconah 2009) was named to the All Berkshire Team in both his junior and senior years and won a Western Mass championship during his time at Wahconah. He also went on to have a stellar career at Wentworth Institute. He and his wife, Katie, are the first husband and wife inductees into the CIAO Soccer Hall of Fame in the same year.  After college, he helped coach the Wahconah Soccer and basketball teams. He works at General Dynamics.
   
Nicole Gamberoni (Lenox 2019) was an impact player on her team for five years while at Lenox making All-Berkshire teams four times. She was captain twice, finished with 107 points, and was the league MVP two times. She also went on to play soccer at AIC. She is working at Lenox High School while she is getting her master’s degree. 
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