Hires/Promotions/ Honors

Niagara Falls Memorial Child Care head teacher Kali Robertson was awarded a Child Development Associate Credential by the Council for Professional Recognition in Washington, D. C., in recognition of outstanding work with young children.

Tompkins Insurance Agencies named Jan Tomasellis an account manager in the agency’s commercial lines department. Tomaselli has 25 years of experience in the insurance industry. She was previously with MGM Associates in Penfield. Tompkins Insurance Agencies, a part of Tomkpins Financial Corp., has 15 offices in Western New York, plus six offices in central New York and is affiliated with the Bank of Castile, Tompkins Trust Co. and AM&MFinancial Services.

The Pharmacists Society of the State of New York presented the 2009 Bowl of Hygeia Award for outstanding community service to Dr. Tammie Lee Demler. Demler, director of the psychiatric residency program at the University at Buffalo, is host of Lockport Community TV’s “WNY Tonight.”

Hope For Tomorrow Foundation provided the services of Dr. Jeffrey Meilman, a plastic surgeon, and Dr. John Huebschmann, an anesthesiologist with Mt. St. Mary’s Hospital, to perform 12 cleft palate/lip surgeries for poor, needy children, aged 2-to 10-years-old, in Otavalo, Ecuador.

Company items

Independent Health presented $19,175 to the American Diabetes Association in support of the Tour de Cure annual cycling event, which took place June 6. The money donated to the ADA was raised by employee contributions.

Aurora Sewing Center hosted a ribbon-cutting event recently on the grounds of its new store at 8575 Main St. in Williamsville. The store will be open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a. m. to 5:30 p. m., Thursday from 10 a. m. to 8 p. m. and Saturday from 10 a. m. to 4 p. m. Aurora Sewing Center has a second location at 659 Main St. in East Aurora. The stores specialize in Bernina and Baby Lock sewing machines and embroidery systems. Sewing classes for all levels of experience are held at both locations. Call 759-8081 or 652-2811 for information.

Patents

Title: “Monoclonal antibodies to human high molecular weight-melanoma associated antigen” No.: 7,550,568 Inventors: Ferrone, Soldano (Buffalo)

Assignee: University of Pittsburgh— Office the Commonwealth System of Higher Education (Pittsburgh) Date issued: June 23, 2009