New surgeon joins Williamstown Medical Associates, NARH staff

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Dr. Sekkal
A. Kacem Sekkal, M.D., a board-certified general surgeon, has joined Williamstown Medical Associates (WMA) and the Medical Staff of North Adams Regional Hospital. Dr. Sekkal is accepting new patients and can be reached through WMA at (413) 458-8182. Dr. Sekkal most recently has practiced surgery at Androscoggin Valley Hospital in Berlin, New Hampshire, but also has practiced as a temporary (locum tenens) surgeon at NARH and other hospitals in New England. "We are excited to have Dr. Sekkal join our surgical services. His professional expertise and demeanor will compliment our already well respected staff," said Dr. Patrick O'Brien, chairman of WMA's surgery department. Dr. Sekkal earned his medical degree from the University of Algeria in Algiers, Algeria, and served his internship and residency in general surgery at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, and an additional residency in general surgery at Bridgeport Hospital in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He is certified in general surgery by the American Board of Surgery. His clinical interests include laparoscopic surgery, vascular surgery, and colonoscopy. "North Berkshire has a progressive health care system that I want to be a part of," said Dr. Sekkal. "The staff of WMA and the hospital are friendly and very dedicated to the care of their patients, in addition to being very capable. I'm looking forward to using the new surgical facilities at NARH." NARH opened two state-of-the-art operating theaters in January, as part of the hospital's $23 million modernization and renovation project. Two additional operating rooms will be opened in June. WMA opened its doors on April 29, 1958, when H. Collier Wright, M.D., and Robert K. Davis, M.D., established the practice with a staff of four. Now, more than 47 years later, WMA has become one of the largest independent physician-owned and operated facilities in New England. WMA has offices on Adams Road in Williamstown and in the Ambulatory Care Center at North Adams Regional Hospital. For information about the physicians and services of WMA, one may call (413) 458-8182.
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Lee: 3 Miles of Route 20 Being Repaved Next Year

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

LEE, Mass. — Beginning next year, the state will repave three miles of Route 20 and reinforce two bridges, one over the Massachusetts Turnpike. 

Last week, the state Department of Transportation held a virtual design public hearing for the project. In addition to milling and resurfacing of the route, bridge structures L-05-024 (over Greenwater Brook) and L-05-052 (over I-90) will see maintenance repairs. 

"We just wanted to thank MassDOT for doing this project. We're very supportive of having the road redone and appreciate the work on it," Town Administrator Christopher Brittain said. 

"The town of Lee is looking forward to having the road repaved." 

Construction will begin in the spring of 2027.  

Traffic will be maintained with short-term flagging operations, and steel plates will conceal deck patching over Greenwater Brook. There will be staged construction on the bridge over the highway, with a single alternating travel lane controlled by a temporary signal. 

The project is estimated to cost $6.8 million, 90 percent from the federal government and 10 percent from the state; it is in the FY26 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program. 

The hearing included public information on activities and rights-of-way needs for tree trimming, new utility poles, grading, drainage swales, and a driveway apron along the project corridor, items identified during the late design phases. 

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