CHP Welcomes New CEO

Print Story | Email Story
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Community Health Programs Inc. (CHP) has named Bethany Kieley as its new chief executive officer.  
 
She joined the countywide healthcare network effective July 17.
 
Kieley was most recently chief operations officer at Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center, a federally qualified health center serving 55,000 patients in greater New Haven, Conn.
 
At CHP Berkshires, she will oversee a $30 million budget and approximately 240 employees. The network's primary care, dental care, OB/GYN care and extensive family support services care for more than 30,000 Berkshire region residents, including patients in Vermont, Connecticut and New York.
 
Previously, Kieley worked for nearly 12 years with ProHealth Physicians, a large medical practice network in Connecticut. At ProHealth, she advanced through the ranks from her first role as a regional manager to the position of vice president in practice operations, programs and services.
 
Kieley also worked as chief operating officer for Women's Care Florida, and in her earlier career held operational roles at medical practices in New Hampshire and Western Massachusetts.
 
"Bethany brings an impressive leadership background to CHP, along with a true passion for the work of federally qualified health centers like ours, which provide health care for all," said Brian Drake, president of the CHP board. "She will be a strong asset to CHP, Berkshires, and to the wider Berkshire community as we move forward."
 
Kieley earned her master's degree in business administration from Plymouth State University and completed a healthcare executive leadership program at Stanford University. She earned her bachelor's degree in music and business from DePaul University. 
 
Prior to relocating to the Berkshires, she was an active volunteer tutor and board member for Literacy Volunteers of Southern Connecticut.

Tags: CHP,   

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

Reps. Leigh Davis, Bud Williams Filing Legislation Honoring Freeman

SHEFFIELD, Mass. — State Reps. Leigh Davis of the 3rd Berkshire District and Bud L. Williams, of the 11th Hampden District, are filing legislation establishing Aug. 22 as Elizabeth Freeman Day of Equality, Healing, and Remembrance in the commonwealth.
 
The legislation would direct the governor to annually issue a proclamation recognizing the courageous contributions of Elizabeth Freeman, an enslaved Black woman known as Mum Bett, whose landmark freedom suit helped spark the legal end of slavery in Massachusetts.
 
"Elizabeth Freeman's story began here in the Berkshires, but its impact reached every corner of the commonwealth," said Davis. "More than two centuries later, her legacy continues to inspire us. Establishing Elizabeth Freeman Day will ensure that future generations learn not only about her extraordinary bravery, but also about the power of one person to change the course of history."
 
In 1781, Freeman, of Sheffield at the time, challenged the institution of slavery by filing suit against her enslaver, Col. John Ashley. In the landmark case Brom and Bett v. Ashley, a Berkshire County jury ruled in favor of Freeman and her fellow plaintiff, Brom, granting them their freedom. The case demonstrated the power of the Massachusetts Constitution's declaration that all people are born free and equal and helped pave the way for the Quock Walker decisions that ultimately ended slavery in the commonwealth. 
 
"Freeman's courage changed the course of history in Massachusetts," said Williams. "At a time when the odds were stacked against her, she stood up and demanded that the promises of liberty and equality contained in our Constitution apply to her as well. She risked everything to challenge an unjust system, and her victory helped lay the foundation for the end of slavery in our commonwealth. Her legacy deserves to be recognized and remembered by every resident of Massachusetts."
 
Although unable to read or write, Freeman understood the meaning of freedom and equality and took extraordinary action to secure those rights for herself and others. Her story remains one of the most powerful examples of individual courage in the face of injustice. 
 
Elizabeth Freeman Day will provide an opportunity for reflection, education, healing, and remembrance, said Williams. 
 
View Full Story

More South Berkshire Stories