Gastroenterologist Joins BMC Practice

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Health Systems announces the appointment of Dr. Jason Bratcher, a board-certified and fellowship-trained gastroenterologist, to the medical staff of Berkshire Medical Center and the physician staff of Gastroenterology Professional Services of BMC.

Dr. Bratcher, who came to the Berkshires from a New York City practice, is accepting new patients in need of comprehensive gastroenterology care. He is partnered with Jeffrey St. John, MD, Rangan Murali, MD, and Richard Woller, PA, at Gastroenterology Professional Services of BMC.

Dr. Bratcher specializes in the use of Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS), an advanced, minimally invasive technology that allows for the examination of deeper tissue layers of the upper and lower gastrointestinal (GI) tracts. The upper GI tract consists of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum; the lower GI tract includes the colon and rectum. EUS allows for the evaluation of tissue and organs that are not visible with traditional endoscopy, such as the liver, biliary tree and pancreas. During the EUS procedure, fine needle aspiration (FNA) can be performed to assist in the diagnosis and staging of various GI malignancies, including esophageal, stomach and pancreatic cancers. He also is trained in ERCP, a technique that allows for treatment of hepatobiliary disorders that can cause blockage of the biliary tree, liver and pancreas. EUS and ERCP are oftentimes used in conjunction for complicated GI disorders.


Dr. Bratcher most recently worked in a private gastroenterology practice in New York, with Jerome Siegel, MD, a pioneer in the development of ERCP. He was affiliated the Center for Digestive Health at Mount Sinai/Beth Israel Medical Center in New York, and also served as a voluntary physician with Englewood Hospital and Hackensack University Medical Center, both in N.J.

He is board-certified in gastroenterology and internal medicine, and fellowship trained in gastroenterology at Lenox Hill Hospital, New York City and in Advanced Therapeutic Endoscopy at Beth Israel Medical Center/St. Vincent’s Hospital. Originally from Artesia, New Mexico, Dr. Bratcher received his medical degree from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and completed his residency and served as chief resident in Internal Medicine at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York.

For an appointment with Dr. Bratcher, call Gastroenterology Professional Services of BMC at 413-499-8590.

 


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Flushing of Pittsfield's Water System to Begin

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city of Pittsfield's Department of Public Utilities announces that phase 1 of the flushing of the city's water system will begin Monday, April 22.
 
Water mains throughout the city will be flushed, through hydrants, over the upcoming weeks to remove accumulations of pipeline corrosion products. Mains will be flushed Monday through Friday each week, except holidays, between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.
 
  • The upcoming flushing for April 22 to May 3 is expected to affect the following areas:
  • Starting at the town line on Dalton Avenue working west through Coltsville including lower Crane Avenue, Meadowview neighborhood, following Cheshire Road north.
  • Hubbard Avenue and Downing Parkway.
  • Starting at the town line on East Street working west through the McIntosh and Parkside neighborhoods.
  • Elm Street neighborhoods west to the intersection of East Street.
  • Starting at the town line on Williams Street, working west including Mountain Drive,
  • Ann Drive, East New Lenox Road, and Holmes Road neighborhoods.
Although flushing may cause localized discolored water and reduced service pressure conditions in and around the immediate area of flushing, appropriate measures will be taken to ensure that proper levels of treatment and disinfections are maintained in the system at all times. If residents experience discolored water, they should let the water run for a short period to clear it prior to use.
 
If discolored water or low-pressure conditions persist, please contact the Water Department at (413) 499-9339.
 
Flushing is an important operating procedure that contributes significantly to the maintenance of the water quality in the water distribution system. 
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