BMC Opens Imaging Center at Former North Adams Hospital

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Berkshire Medical Center has restored general diagnostic imaging services in Northern Berkshire in order to provide easier access for the community.

Effective Monday, July 7, the BMC Northern Berkshire Imaging Center is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., located where radiology services were provided at the former North Adams Regional Hospital.

The center provides X-ray, ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging; walk-in X-ray services are also available.

The imaging department at NARH were lost when Northern Berkshire Healthcare abruptly closed in March and declared bankruptcy. Since then, BMC has been able to restore a emergency services through an agreement with the the U.S. Bankruptcy Court-appointed trustee for NBH.


Imaging services were reinstated as part of BMC's Satellite Emergency Facility at the hospital, but outpatient services were not available since they required a separate license. BMC has been working with state and federal officials to obtain proper licensing for outpatient imaging services and to offer a more convenient location for North County patients who require them. BMC hopes to resume outpatient mammographies as well as soon federal licensing is completed.

The Pittsfield medical center has hired five radiologic technologists for the imaging center. Four are former North Adams Regional Hospital employees and the fifth is a BMC employee who resides in North Berkshire.

Patients can enter the imaging center through the Satellite Emergency Facility entry, where they will be directed to the center, which is in NARH's former Radiology Department. Physicians will schedule patient appointments through central scheduling at BMC and the location of North Berkshire will be an option.

Additional services at the former hospital will depend on the outcome of the public bidding process for the bankrupt facilities. BMC has tendered an offer of $4 million; the bidding ends on July 31. BMC has not indicated what more it plans to do with the NBH campus should it be the successful bidder.


Tags: BMC,   imaging,   NARH,   

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Pittsfield Firefighters Knock Down Morningside Blaze

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Fire Department knocked down a two-alarm blaze in the Morningside neighborhood in less than an hour on Friday. 

Just before 3 p.m., the department received a report of a fire at 25 Pine St. Deputy Fire Chief Daniel Garner said he arrived at the scene first and saw heavy fire showing from the rear of the more than 100-year-old home. 

"We just went to work, pretty much," he explained. 

"Because of the heavy volume of fire and the potential for a high number of occupants, I called a double alarm, which called all available Pittsfield firefighters directly to the scene. And I would say the fire was knocked down and under control within an hour." 

Eight occupants were evacuating the home when firefighters arrived, and there were no civilian or firefighter injuries. People, including the occupants, stood on the sidewalk and watched the scene unfold. 

When iBerkshires arrived, firefighters were on the ladder, extinguishing the top level of the home from the side and rear.  

There were five fire engines and one ladder truck. Hinsdale also came to assist, and Lenox and Dalton were called for standby. 

Garner believes the building is salvageable and repairable, but recognized that the family won't be able to stay there tonight. An extended family appears to live in the home. 

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined; the Fire Investigation Division was on site. The Red Cross will provide assistance to the residents of the home. 

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