Berkshire Health Systems Chooses Director of Occupational Health

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Dr. James McEleney
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Health Systems appointed James D. McEleney, a board certified occupational medicine physician with additional specialization in urgent care, as the medical director of Berkshire Occupational Health. Dr. McEleney has extensive experience in occupational medicine, and will join Richard Dodge in providing comprehensive occupational medicine services to businesses throughout the region.

Dr. McEleney comes to the Berkshires following 12 years as clinical director of occupational and travel Medicine and employee health at Caritas St. Elizabeth's Medical Center in Boston. He previously worked for Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital and the Cambridge Health Alliance as medical director of occupational health and employee health.

He is board certified in occupational medicine by the American Board of Preventive Medicine, and received his medical degree from St. Louis University Medical School. He completed his residency in occupational medicine at the former University Hospital in Boston, now Boston Medical Center, and has a Master of Public Health from Boston University School of Public Health.
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Toy Library Installed at Onota Lake

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Feel free to use or leave a toy at Onota Lake's newest infrastructure meant to foster community and benefit kids.

Burbank Park now has a toy library thanks to Wahconah Regional High School senior Alexandra Bills. Located along the wall at the beach area, the green and blue structure features two shelves with sand toys that can be used to enhance children's visits.

The Parks Commission supported Bills' proposal in February as part of her National Honors Society individual service project and it was installed this month. Measuring about 4 feet wide and 5.8 feet tall, it was built by the student and her father with donated materials from a local lumber company.

Friends and family members provided toys to fill the library such as pails, shovels, Frisbees, and trucks.

"I wanted to create a toy library like the other examples in Berkshire County from the sled library to the book libraries," she told the commission in February.

"But I wanted to make it toys for Onota Lake because a lot of kids forget their toys or some kids can't afford toys."

Bills lives nearby and will check on the library weekly — if not daily — to ensure the operation is running smoothly.  A sign reading "Borrow-Play-Return" asks community members to clean up after themselves after using the toys.

It was built to accommodate children's heights and will be stored during the winter season.

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