Retired Physician Joins CHP Board

Print Story | Email Story

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Community Health Programs has named Dr. Patricia Salomon, a retired pediatrician and commissioned officer in the U.S. Public Health Service, to its board of directors.

She is a resident of Monterey.

As a commissioned officer, Salomon worked primarily with the federal Health Resources and Services Agency on issues of access to primary care. As medical director for the Bureau of Primary Health Care, she led the National Health Service Corps in working to bring medical, dental and nursing staff to underserved communities. She also led efforts to develop programs the nation’s community-based health centers.


While in the USPHS, Salomon developed health care programs for the homeless and worked to bring health care to public housing communities; she also worked to integrate HIV services into primary care.

"These programs shared common efforts to overcome financial, cultural and practical barriers to health care," Salomon said. "Without access and trust, no health care has real meaning. Finding a path into trusted care at the community level can help prevent serious illness from developing, can assist in workforce participation, and can support healthy family lifestyles."

"Dr. Salomon’s background and experience perfectly match the mission of CHP, to bring good health and services to all residents of Berkshire County," said Jodi Rathbun-Briggs, president of the CHP board.

 


Tags: CHP,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

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.

View Full Story

More Great Barrington Stories