North Adams Regional Hospital today formally launched the CARE Campaign, accepting a $1 million gift from Williams College to assist in the renovation of patient care areas of the hospital. The announcement of the Williams College gift brings the CARE Campaign to $8 million, two-thirds of its $12 million goal.
Williamstown attorney and chairman of the CARE Campaign Bruce Grinnell welcomed the gift, which was presented by Helen Ouellette, Vice President for Administration and Treasurer of Williams College. "The early success of the CARE Campaign demonstrates the extraordinary generosity and support that exists for our local hospital," said Grinnell.
"The College's gift today is a tremendous stride forward for this important capital campaign and is yet another clear signal to our patients and staff that excellent health care is a priority in our region."
Ouellette said, "For more than a century, North Adams Regional has been where members of this community have come to give birth, receive critical help, treat emergencies, and, more recently, be guided on how to keep themselves well. A healthy hospital is essential to a healthy community.
"Williams College faculty, staff, and students are among those who over the years have turned frequently to North Adams Regional for vital care. At the same time, I am proud to say, the care that this hospital extends is very often delivered through the hands of Williams alumni.
"In support of North Adams Regional Hospital's effort to raise the funds needed to continue and enhance its vital work, Williams College is very pleased to donate to The CARE Campaign the sum of $1 million. And in grateful acknowledgment of the dedication of so many Williams alumni who have provided medical care here, the College makes this gift in their honor."
In thanking Ouellette for the donation, Grinnell said, "The staff of North Adams Regional Hospital is incredible. Their commitment to this community, their compassion for their patients, and their love of the hospital is unsurpassed. The CARE Campaign will ensure that these talented caregivers have the physical facilities and technology to match their skills in providing health care."
"This is a thrilling day for all of north Berkshire," said hospital President Bruce Nash, M.D. "Thanks to Williams College and the personal gifts of our Board of Trustees, Medical Staff and community donors, the CARE Campaign is well on its way to hitting the goal of $12 million. Because hospital care is a key piece of the health care continuum, the success of the CARE Campaign is vital to strengthening our local health system."
Two years ago the hospital and its parent corporation, Northern Berkshire Health Systems, embarked on a multi-year plan to transform health care delivery in the area. Since then the hospital has made numerous improvements to its campus, including a new physician office building and a three-level parking garage.
The CARE Campaign marks the next phase, which will focus on renovations to patient care areas including Surgical Services, the Emergency Department, Critical Care Unit, and the Maternity Department. About $2 million of the total campaign will be allocated to an endowment for the hospital.
Surgical Services, which has seen significant growth in outpatient procedures, will be expanded on the ground floor of the hospital. Preliminary plans call for new construction that would expand the footprint of the hospital along the east wing.
The Emergency Department, which now handles about 22,000 visits each year, will grow significantly in size to expand the number of treatment areas from 12 to 17.
The Critical Care Unit, which first opened in 1970, needs additional space to accommodate newer technology used today in critical care and the health care needs of the region's aging population.
The hospital's Maternity Department on the second floor will receive a complete makeover and redesign to add private bathrooms and modernize the unit. "We have incredibly talented and caring nurses and physicians on our maternity unit - none better in our opinion -- but today's new parents are also looking for personalized touches," said Grinnell. "The CARE Campaign will help the hospital meet those expectations."
Grinnell said the $2 million that will create an endowment is a first for the hospital. "This community has supported its hospital throughout its 118-year history. The very first structure, which opened on this campus in 1885, was built with donations large and small, on land that was also a gift.
North Berkshire has kept the hospital strong with donations of all kinds, and in recent years residents have helped to create an excellent community hospital by contributing substantial amounts of money.
But in all that time, the hospital has not established a true endowment, and it is time for that to happen. Fifty years from now, we will be remembered for taking this important step to ensure long-term survival of our community hospital."
Donations to date have come from more than 150 individuals and businesses, including members of the NARH Medical Staff, members of the hospital and health system administration, and members of the CARE Campaign committee. Local banks have contributed $1.25 million to the campaign.
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Former Harry's Supermarket Under Construction for Restaurant
Late last month, the Conservation Commission greenlit some tree pruning on the property. New windows and a new door can be seen in the front of the building.
"It's a substantial renovation that's currently underway here," Brent White of White Engineering said, speaking on behalf of the applicant and owner, Huajie Zhu.
A fire gutted the longtime Wahconah Street supermarket in 2023, and the following year, Zhu purchased the property for $460,000 two years ago to build a restaurant with hibachi in the existing footprint of the more than 100-year-old building.
White explained that the project has been ongoing for over a year, and the Community Development Board granted the property a waiver to reduce the minimum required number of parking spaces so that additional spaces aren't needed.
He noted that, looking at the site plan, there is very little room to do so. A mirror will be installed near the sharp turn on Bel Air Avenue to alleviate traffic concerns.
Pruning will be done on trees in the southeast corner of the existing paved parking lot, as a number of branches are hanging over. The new owners also intend to patch, sealcoat, and re-stripe the parking lot.
A fire tore through the building less than an hour after the supermarket closed for the day three years ago. An automatic sprinkler system is required for the new use.
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