REACH offers free wellness screening

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. - REACH for Community Health will sponsor a free wellness screening for community residents on Thursday, May 28, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Stop & Shop grocery store on State Road in North Adams. Pre-registration is required. Those interested in participating should call 413-664-5326 for an appointment.

The “Know Your Numbers” wellness screening will include a blood test to measure cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Weight and blood pressure will be recorded. A brief medical history including smoking and family history will be taken.

A small amount of blood will be drawn from a finger stick. Results will be available in minutes. Nurses from North Adams Regional Hospital will discuss results with attendees.

“We hope that community members who do not see a physician regularly will seize this opportunity to begin tracking their numbers. We are very excited to kickoff this program with Stop & Shop,” said Deborah Simmons, Executive Director of REACH. “We plan to bring the Know Your Numbers Wellness Screening to other businesses, organizations, and events in 2009.”

The Know Your Numbers Wellness Screening is one of the activities offered through Northern Berkshire Healthcare as part of National Stroke Awareness Month. In addition to the wellness screening other activities held in May include a REACH Community Health Forum where experts in stroke treatment share their knowledge. It will be aired on Sunday, May 31, at 3 p.m. on Channel 15 (Northern Berkshire Community Television).


Massachusetts Department of Public Health designated North Adams Regional Hospital as a stroke treatment center in 2005. The hospital uses state of the art “telemedicine” to treat potential stroke patients. Physicians at North Adams Regional Hospital are able to consult with stroke neurologists at Massachusetts General Hospital. The “telemedicine” system uses real time video and audio connections between the two hospitals.

“If you get to ‘know your numbers,’ you are taking steps to lower your risk for stroke and other chronic illnesses,” said Joyce Mickanin, R.N., Director of Emergency Nursing. “This screening is an important part of our community education.”

Disability and death related to a stroke can be prevented with early treatment, but only if loved ones and caregivers learn to recognize the sometimes subtle signs and symptoms of stroke and call 9-1-1 immediately. A majority of strokes can be recognized using the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Stroke Heroes Act FAST system. FAST refers to steps to identify a possible stroke victim: Face, Arm, Speech, and Time to call 9-1-1. Face. Does the face look uneven? Ask the person to smile. Arm. Does one arm drift down? Ask the person to raise both arms.  Speech. Does their speech sound strange? Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Time. If you observe any of these symptoms, then it’s time to call 9-1-1.  

For more information or to register for the Know Your Numbers Wellness Screening, please call 413-664-5326.
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Pittsfield ZBA Member Recognized for 40 Years of Service

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Albert Ingegni III tells the council about how his father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo who died at age 94 in 2020, enjoyed his many years serving the city and told Ingegni to do the same. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It's not every day that a citizen is recognized for decades of service to a local board — except for Tuesday.

Albert Ingegni III was applauded for four decades of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals during City Council. Mayor Peter Marchetti presented him with a certificate of thanks for his commitment to the community.

"It's not every day that you get to stand before the City Council in honor of a Pittsfield citizen who has dedicated 40 years of his life serving on a board or commission," he said.

"As we say that, I know that there are many people that want to serve on boards and commissions and this office will take any resume that there is and evaluate each person but tonight, we're here to honor Albert Ingegni."

The honoree is currently chair of the ZBA, which handles applicants who are appealing a decision or asking for a variance.

Ingegni said he was thinking on the ride over about his late father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo, who told him to "enjoy every moment of it because it goes really quickly."

"He was right," he said. "Thank you all."

The council accepted $18,000 from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and a  $310,060 from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All program.

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