Pittsfield Medical Associates Awarded Medical Leadership Role at Berkshire Place

12:32PM / Friday, October 20, 2017Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Place has announced that Pittsfield Medical Associates is the new medical team providing lead physician oversight to its residents and patients.

Dr. Ellis Fribush will be the new medical director and Bruce Rosenhein will be the lead physician's assistant.

Fribush has been practicing medicine since 1959, and is a cardiovascular specialist. He is well established in the community and highly regarded for his knowledge, expertise and compassion. Rosenhein has been practicing as a physician’s assistant for the past 17 years and specializes in internal medicine. These two individuals will take the lead in providing regular rounds for patients and provide medical oversight - including policy review, care recommendations, and quality assurance.

"We are fortunate to find such a high caliber, energetic, and engaged team who have the same high quality care philosophies as Berkshire Place. Dr. Fribush has been a visionary throughout his whole career and our staff is looking forward to his medical leadership," Edward Forfa, executive director, said. "This new opportunity for me and the practice has been invigorating, and to team up with such a jewel of an organization committed to quality care as Berkshire Place is an honor."

Pittsfield Medical Associates is a local, independent practice founded nearly 40 years ago and includes the 510 Medical Walk-In for urgent care, occupational health and minor emergencies. It also has a teaching affiliation with three local physician assistant programs.

Berkshire Place is an independent, non-profit organization that was established in 1888. Services provided include short-term skilled nursing and rehabilitation care, long-term care, outpatient rehabilitation, memory care support, comfort care/palliative care, respite care and home care services.

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New Camp Is Safe Place for Children Suffering Loss to Addiction

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:26AM / Saturday, December 27, 2025

Last year's Happy Campers courtesy of Max Tabakin.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new camp is offering a safe place for children who have lost a parent or guardian to addiction.

Director Gayle Saks founded the nonprofit "Camp Happy Place" last year. The first camp was held in June with 14 children.

Saks is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor who works at the Brien Center. One of her final projects when studying was how to involve youth, and a camp came to mind. Camp had been her "happy place" growing up, and it became her dream to open her own.

"I keep a bucket list in my wallet, and it's right on here on this list, and I cross off things that I've accomplished," she said. "But it is the one thing on here that I knew I had to do."

The overnight co-ed camp is held at a summer camp in Winsted, Conn., where Saks spent her summers as a child. It is four nights and five days and completely free. Transportation is included as are many of the items needed for camping. The camp takes up to 30 children.

"I really don't think there's any place that exists specifically for this population. I think it's important to know, we've said this, but that it is not a therapeutic camp," Saks said.

She said the focus is on fun for the children, though they are able to talk to any of the volunteer and trained staff. The staff all have experience in social work, addiction and counseling, and working with children.

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