Berkshire Life Insurance Company Of America Donates $100,000 To Berkshire Medical Center

- October 15, 2007

Joan Brancroft, President of Berkshire Life Insurance Company of America with David Phelps, President, Berkshire Health Systems, in the newly renovated Stroke and Neurology Unit at Berkshire Medical Center.

Berkshire Health Systems has announced that the Berkshire Life Insurance Company of America has donated $100,000 to Berkshire Medical Center, in support of the hospital’s stroke and neurology programs. In recognition of this gift, BMC has dedicated its newly renovated Stroke and Neurology Unit in honor of Berkshire Life. A new sign located on the unit commemorates the donation.

“Having Berkshire Life’s name associated with this unit goes hand-in-hand with our own mission,” said Joan Bancroft, President of Berkshire Life Insurance Company of America. “Not only is stroke a leading cause of both the disability and long term care scenarios that our product lines address, the educational approach employed by the medical and support team with patients and family members is in line with our own focus on better understanding the needs of our customers.”

“Berkshire Life Insurance has taken a leading role in supporting our community,” said David Phelps, President of Berkshire Health Systems. “With this generous gift, Berkshire Life is making another important investment in the Berkshires, helping Berkshire Health Systems and BMC to provide the best services available for stroke and neurology care in a warm environment. Our physicians and staff, and our patients and their loved ones all benefit from Berkshire Life’s generosity.”

Berkshire Medical Center was the first hospital in the United States to receive the American Heart Association’s Get with the Guidelines Stroke Performance Achievement Award, and remains the only hospital in the country to earn the award for three consecutive years. BMC and its sister hospital, Fairview Hospital, are both designated by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health as Primary Stroke Centers. The Stroke and Neurology Unit at BMC, located on the second floor of the hospital, provides comprehensive care for patients suffering from stroke and other neurological conditions.

Berkshire Life Insurance Company of America, Pittsfield, MA, is a wholly owned stock subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, New York, NY. Its key missions are to grow Guardian’s disability income and long-term care lines of business and to research and develop new insurance products.