North Berkshire Orthopaedic Specialist Joins Berkshire Orthopaedic Associates

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Berkshire Health Systems has announced the appointment of Dr. James R. Parkinson, a well-respected and former longtime provider of Orthopaedic services in North Berkshire, to the medical staff of Berkshire Medical Center and the physician staff of Berkshire Orthopaedic Associates.

Dr. Parkinson will provide orthopaedic evaluation and care at Berkshire Orthopaedic Associates' North Adams Campus of BMC office.

Parkinson served on the medical staff of the former North Adams Regional Hospital and with the former Orthopedic Associates of Williamstown for more than 20 years. He also served as medical director of Sports Medicine and Team Physician for Williams College and the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts from 1982 to 2016.

Andrew Fitch Launches Bid for State Representative in North Berkshire

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
04:30PM / Tuesday, February 03, 2026

Candidate Andrew Fitch gets a hug from his mother, Sara Prouty, who introduced him. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Andrew Fitch announced his run for state representative to an enthusiastic crowd on Tuesday morning. 

 

The two-term city councilor stressed his energy, commitment and campaign priorities of economic development, housing and regional relationships for the 13 communities in the 1st Berkshire.

 

"There are a lot of municipalities to be in, and I have that energy and drive and interest and love a good road trip," he said, speaking to the crowd at Steeple City Social, a popular lounge/cafe that he runs with business partner Meghan Daly. "A lot of people have asked me for my fresh energy and my fresh blood, and that is what I give to you, maybe not literally my blood, but I certainly get my fresh energy and ideas and drive."

 

Afterward, Fitch said he'd been approached several times over the past few years about running for state representative. But he was just getting on the City Council, opening a business and involved in community activities, so it didn't seem to be the right time. 

 

"Now that I have more time under my belt, I've been in two terms as a city councilor, and Steeple City Social is up and running and is almost a year old," he said. "It is now sustainable, not on its own, but without me having to work all the time here, I knew that I could take this on."

 

Fitch is mounting a Democratic primary challenge to John Barrett III, who won the seat in a special election in 2017 after the death of state Rep. Gailanne Cariddi. Since then, he's only had one primary challenger, Paula Kingsbury-Evans, a college student at the time, who he beat handily by 43 points. 

 

Fitch was raised in Marshfield and moved to North Adams five or six years ago — becoming immediately involved the community. He's a founder of North Adams Pride (now part of Berkshire Pride), a co-organizer of First Fridays and a board member of the North Adams Chamber of Commerce. A small-business owner, he's served on the Zoning Board of Appeals and for a short time on the Airport Commission, to which is now liaison from the council.