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CHP is assuming management of the BMC dental clinic in Pittsfield.

CHP to Assume Management of BMC’s Dental Clinic

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Community Health Programs will assume sponsorship and operation of Berkshire Medical Center’s Dental Clinic, following the awarding of a $350,000 federal grant to CHP.

This collaboration between CHP and BHS will help provide improved access to essential healthcare services in the Berkshire community. CHP will assume the operation of the Dental Clinic, located at 510 North St., by Oct. 14, 2016.

The CHP Dental Clinic will provide expanded dental care services to more patients in the community; currently, the clinic provides care for nearly 5,000 patients per year. CHP will work to recruit new dentists, and the clinic will continue to utilize the expertise of the BMC Dental Residency program, which helps to staff the clinic. The residency is accredited by the American Dental Association and provides advanced education in oral healthcare.

Community Health Programs will upgrade and expand the dental clinic to meet requirements of the grant, and will integrate dental operations with the existing CHP primary care practice there, CHP-Neighborhood Health Center.

This is the latest collaboration between CHP and BHS, all with the goal of providing expanded access to healthcare services. In December, CHP assumed operation of the former Adams Internists and Northern Berkshire Family Medicine, giving the federally qualified health center’s network a presence in northern Berkshire County. Previously, the former BMC Neighborhood Health Center in Pittsfield was transitioned to a CHP federally qualified health center. The latest federal grant was awarded by the Health Resources Services Administration, which provides about 20 percent of CHP’s funding.

“Berkshire Health Systems is pleased to continue our collaborative relationship with Community Health Programs as we work together to provide enhanced care services to all who live and work in the Berkshires,” said David Phelps, president and CEO of Berkshire Health Systems. “CHP and BHS continue to invest in these essential health services to provide greater access to care, right here in the Berkshires.”



Lia Spiliotes, interim CEO of Community Health Programs, said CHP will carry on the BMC practice with few changes, aside from a facility expansion and certain federally mandated improvements. The affiliation makes good sense for the organization, which already operates a Great Barrington-based dental practice, she said.

“CHP has made some excellent strategic collaborations to strengthen its health network throughout Berkshire County, and to improve residents’ access to health care, with support from BHS,” said Spiliotes. “With this new dental clinic under our umbrella, CHP is now in a position to focus strongly on existing practices and services, and to make improvements wherever possible to enhance patient care and improve access.

In addition, the affiliation will expand CHP’s participation in medical education and residency programs.

The Dental Clinic is staffed by resident dentists from the BMC program, three dental assistants, and a receptionist who is also certified as a dental assistant. There will be no changes in employment when CHP assumes the operation of the clinic.

The Dental Clinic sees any patient with an urgent dental need on a walk-in basis. Patients seeking comprehensive, preventive care should call the dental clinic for an initial visit appointment. At this first visit patients will have a full mouth series of radiographs taken and a comprehensive exam will be completed. An individual care plan will be developed by the resident dentist with patient involvement. Patients will be seen by appointment for all routine dental needs. For information and appointments, call 413-447-2781.

 


Tags: BHS,   CHP,   dental,   

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Dalton Man Accused of Kidnapping, Shooting Pittsfield Man

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A Dalton man was arrested on Thursday evening after allegedly kidnapping and shooting another man.

Nicholas Lighten, 35, was arraigned in Central Berkshire District Court on Friday on multiple charges including kidnapping with a firearm and armed assault with intent to murder. He was booked in Dalton around 11:45 p.m. the previous night.

There was heavy police presence Thursday night in the area of Lighten's East Housatonic Street home before his arrest.

Shortly before 7 p.m., Dalton dispatch received a call from the Pittsfield Police Department requesting that an officer respond to Berkshire Medical Center. Adrian Mclaughlin of Pittsfield claimed that he was shot in the leg by Lighten after an altercation at the defendants home. Mclaughlin drove himself to the hospital and was treated and released with non-life-threatening injuries. 

"We were told that Lighten told Adrian to go down to his basement, where he told Adrian to get down on his knees and pulled out a chain," the police report reads.

"We were told that throughout the struggle with Lighten, Adrian recalls three gunshots."

Dalton PD was advised that Pittsfield had swabbed Mclaughlin for DNA because he reported biting Lighten. A bite mark was later found on Lighten's shoulder. 

Later that night, the victim reportedly was "certain, very certain" that Lighten was his assailant when shown a photo array at the hospital.

According to Dalton Police, an officer was stationed near Lighten's house in an unmarked vehicle and instructed to call over the radio if he left the residence. The Berkshire County Special Response Team was also contacted.

Lighten was under surveillance at his home from about 7:50 p.m. to about 8:40 p.m. when he left the property in a vehicle with Massachusetts plates. Another officer initiated a high-risk motor vehicle stop with the sergeant and response team just past Mill Street on West Housatonic Street, police said, and traffic was stopped on both sides of the road.

Lighten and a passenger were removed from the vehicle and detained. Police reported finding items including a brass knuckle knife, three shell casings wrapped in a rubber glove, and a pair of rubber gloves on him.

The response team entered Lighten's home at 43 East Housatonic before 9:30 p.m. for a protective sweep and cleared the residence before 9:50 p.m., police said. The residence was secured for crime scene investigators.

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