FEATURED CONTENT & SPOTLIGHTS
Featured Content Spotlights Sponsored ContentBHS Testing, Vaccine Centers Put COVID-19 Vaccinations on Hold
A final pediatric COVID-19 vaccine clinic will be held at the Pittsfield center, 505 East St., on Friday, April 7.
Preschool, Kindergarten Registrations Scheduled Around County
Berkshire County schools are scheduling and re-scheduling preschool and kindergarten registration dates and procedures for the 2021-22 school year.
Dr. Valizadeh Joins Adams Internists, Providing Primary Care Services
Dr. Valizadeh is accepting new patients in need of primary care services and is partnered with Drs. Chi Cheung and Benjamin Rudin, and Jeffrey Bialobok, NP, and Caitlin Roberts, FNP-C at Adams Internists of BMC.
Seasonal Safety Reminder: When You Change Your Clocks, Check Your Alarms
Winter isn't over yet, State Fire Marshal Ostroskey said, and carbon monoxide remains a hazard even in warmer weather.
CHP Family Services Honors as 'Rising Star' in SBCOC Women in Leadership Awards
Markham was among 111 women nominated for an award. She was honored at the Women in Leadership Luncheon on March 8 in Great Barrington.
Northern Berkshire Veteran Services Holds March Food Drive
The pantry is in need of potato chips, nacho chips, popcorn, crackers, granola bars, mixed nuts, jerky, dried fruit, protein bars, water, Gatorade, tea, coffee, nonperishable cheeses, cookies, dishwasher detergent, and laundry detergent.
Community Recreation Association Food Drive
The drive will be held at the Community House, 400 Main Street. Donations collected during the drive will support local food banks.
Nutritionist Michelle Sisk Joins CHP
In her new role, Sisk will work primarily as a culinary nutritionist with the CHP Nutrition Club, which provides nutrition services to patients of Berkshire Fallon Health Collaborative (MassHealth).
Dr. Ira Schmelkin Returns to BMC Gastroenterology Services
Dr. Schmelkin had previously served at Berkshire Medical Center as chief of the division of gastroenterology from 2004 to 2011.
BArT's First Enrollment Deadline for Fall 2023
Interested families should note that the best way to secure a seat, or a desirable waitlist spot for the 2023-2024 school year is to apply before the February 23 deadline.
SVHC, CCV Welcome Early Childhood Education Program Residents
The ECE Residency program incentivizes early childhood education students in either CCV's early childhood education associate degree or childcare certificate program by paying them to increase their course load and graduate sooner.
1Berkshire Launches Second Year of GoFundU Series
Kicking off on March 15 with three consecutive Wednesdays of workshops, this series will once again be presented by Laura Christensen, a crowdfunding campaign educator and consultant based in the Berkshires.
First Congregational Church 'Share the Love' Returns This Valentine's Day
For every $100 received, FCCNA will donate $25. All proceeds will be split evenly among the three recipient organizations.
SVHC Welcomes Local Midwives to SVMC OB/GYN
The two had been partners in Women's View Midwifery and Women's Health, which was located in the Medical Office Building on the SVMC campus in Bennington. Their former practice's patients are invited to follow the providers to SVMC OB/GYN.
SVHC Enacts New Workplace Violence Policy
The policy and communications plan is a proactive approach detailing what actions and language are not tolerated to address the workplace violence trend currently occurring at healthcare institutions across the United States.
Nomination Papers for Great Barrington Town Offices Available
The annual town election is May 9.
Northern Berkshire United Way Annual Chicken Dinner
Tickets are $25 per person and sales close on Feb. 6
Governor Extend Deadline for Portrait Essay Contest for Students
Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll are asking Massachusetts students to research and suggest a former Governor who inspires them and should be featured in their offices.
Bromley's 'Mom's Day Off' Cancer Fundraiser Set for March
Once again, this year's event will benefit women's breast cancer care at the Southwestern Vermont Regional Cancer Center in Bennington, part of Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC).
Commission on Disabilities Helps Funds PCTV's Closed Captioning
The service will allow hearing-impaired viewers to follow along with the content of the programming by reading text on the screen.
Upcoming Nursing Accreditation Review Visit at BCC
The community is invited to meet with the site visit team and share their comments about the program in person at a meeting scheduled at 1:30-2:00 pm on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, in G-12 located at 1350 West St.
MCLA and Habitat for Humanity Partner to Offer Free Tax Assistance
MCLA will offer in-person, drop-off, and virtual tax assistance to qualified taxpayers beginning February 6.
BHS, CHP, and Fallon Health Announce Renewed Partnership
The PHO and Fallon MassHealth Accountable Care Organization (ACO) offering, known as the Berkshire Fallon Health Collaborative (BFHC), will be available to eligible Medicaid members in the Berkshires.
SVHC Announces DAISY Award Winner
The DAISY Award is part of a national merit-based recognition program established by the DAISY Foundation.
Gastroenterologist Joins BHS Provider Practice
Dr. Sterling is accepting new patients in need of endoscopic and gastroenterology care and is partnered with Drs. Jason Bratcher, Ketisha De Roche and Jeffrey St. John at Gastroenterology Professional Services of BMC.
Infectious Disease Specialist Joins Berkshire Internists of BMC
Dr. Tiwari is accepting new patients in need of Infectious Disease care and joins Drs. Arun Bansal, Rebecca Caine, Sangeetha Gummalla, Areej Khan, Jason Kittler and Gregory Malanoski in providing care at Berkshire Internists of BMC.
Free Webinar with CHP and Rural Recovery
CHP Family Nurse Practitioner Terrance "TC" Clarke will talk about the side effects of poor alcohol habits and the health benefits of drinking less or quitting. Recovery coaches from Rural Resources will present a variety of community based and online support resources for people interested in exploring their alcohol use.
BMC North Adams Campus Renal Dialysis Nurse Earns DAISY Award
Tessier, who serves in the Renal Dialysis Center at the North Adams Campus of BMC, was honored for the compassion and above and beyond care he provided for a Renal patient who was facing end of life, according to a press release.
Free Public Skating Events in Pittsfield
The Boys & Girls Club of the Berkshires is located at 16 Melville St.
M&T Bank Contributes to SVHC's Vision 2020 Campaign
The funds will help enhance the emergency and cancer care services available to residents regionwide.
SVMC Staff Share the Holiday Spirit with Foster Families
Southwestern Vermont Medical Center staff from departments organization wide gathered nine boxes packed with hams, turkeys, stuffing mix, canned vegetables, breakfast items, pie-making ingredients, cookie mixes, and more.
SERVPRO Donates Golf Tournament Proceeds to SVHC
The Tournament was held on Saturday, Oct. 1 at The Mount Anthony Country Club in Bennington.
SVHC Honors Employees with Putnam Awards
One award every year is presented for each of the organization's five core values: quality, empathy, safety, teamwork, and stewardship. The employees who received the awards are noted standard bearers and role models within the organization.
1Berkshire Accepting Applications for 2023-2024 Youth Leadership Program
The 1Berkshire Youth Leadership Program, open to all current sophomores in the Berkshires, selects a cohort of up to 30 motivated students from all backgrounds for this ten-month experience that will help them to explore the regional economy and develop their leadership skills.
SVHC President of Administration Recognized with Statewide Award
Dailey has been at the center of several solutions at SVHC. He led the Healthy Homes program, which connected employees with newly renovated homes and favorable financing terms.
SVMC Primary Care Practices Recognized for Patient-Centered Care
The medical practices have been re-designated as Patient Centered Medical Homes by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).
State Fire Marshal: Dec. 12 is Candle Safety Day
There were 93 candle fires in Massachusetts last year and 75 took place in residential settings.
CHP Welcomes New Board Member
Fisher, a Great Barrington resident, holds a doctorate in health and social policy from Brandeis University and she earned a master's in social work from New York University.
SVHC Receives Strong Nurse Satisfaction Survey Results
SVMC's nurses scored SVMC higher than the national average in all categories.
SVHC Physician Aims for the Olympics
Her hope is to serve the athletes as a volunteer physician.
Samantha Kaftan Joins SVMC ExpressCare
Kaftan earned her master's degree in physician assistant studies from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She received a bachelor's in biology from the University of Dallas in Texas.
Grace Hallenbeck Joins SVMC Pownal Campus and SVMC Cardiology
Hallenbeck will divide time between the Cardiology practice and the Pownal practice.
Dr. Manoharan Joins BHS Cardiology Services
Dr. Manoharan is accepting new patients in need of Cardiology care and joins Drs. Peter Chien, Paul Katigbak, Stephen Phlaum, Andrew Potash, Stuart Ruch, Jialin Su, Georgianne Valli-Harwood and Shyama Wickramaaratchi at Cardiology Professional Services of BMC.
SVHC Receives Donation from Lundgren Subaru and Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
By the end of the year, Subaru and retailers will have brought more than 230,000 blankets, 31,000 arts and crafts kits, and thousands of messages of hope, written by Subaru retailers and customers.
Harvest Festivals and Craft Fairs 2022
Have an event to add? Email us at info@iberkshires.com.
SVHC Announces DAISY Award Winner
The DAISY Award is part of a national merit-based recognition program established by the DAISY Foundation.
Provider Profile: Christian Galvez, MD, BMC Thoracic Surgeon
Dr. Galvez joined BMC and Berkshire Surgical Services of BMC in 2010, and specializes in general, thoracic and vascular surgery.
Functional Medicine Physician Joins CHP in Great Barrington
With a certification in functional medicine, Lenherr most recently worked at Canyon Ranch in Lenox, where her patient care incorporated medicine, nutrition, exercise physiology, life management and spirituality. At CHP she will care for adults and children.
North Adams Chamber Announces LumiNAMA Holiday Lights Initiative
All businesses in North Adams are encouraged to create a window display and illuminate their windows with holiday lights from 4 pm to 8 pm daily, coinciding with the City's tree lighting ceremony on the evening of Nov. 23
SVHC Recognizes Nursing Advisory Council Leadership
Munsell is an emergency nurse. He holds bachelor's degrees in biology and psychology from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and a bachelor's in nursing from University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
Trick-or-Treat, Halloween Events 2022
Below is a list of towns holding trick-or-treat hours and/or events on Halloween.
Berkshire Humane Offers Free Rabies Vaccines, Microchips, Reduced Adoption Fees
The free rabies and microchip clinic for cats and dogs will be from 9 am to 11 am at Haddad Subaru at 625 East Street. Dr. Charlotte Barkley of Pittsfield Veterinary Hospital will administer the vaccines.
Southwestern Vermont Health Care Recognizes Nursing Staff
Southwestern Vermont Health Care's (SVHC) nursing leaders have chosen four nurses whose work represents each of the four qualities of a Magnet Center for Nursing Excellence, including transformational leadership, innovation, structural empowerment, and exemplary professional practice.
BHS grows its healthcare workforce through unique "talent pipeline" program.
Targeting people who are just starting out or looking for more meaningful work, the goal of the pipeline programs is to create a direct career path from education and training to full-time employment in healthcare at BHS.
Holiday Hours: Indigenous Peoples Day / Columbus Day
Indigenous Peoples Day is being observed Monday, Oct. 11. As Columbus Day, it commemorates Christopher Columbus' arrival in the Americas on Oct. 12, 1492.
Pittsfield Street improvements Oct. 3 to 7
On-street parking is prohibited during this work between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. The schedule is subject to change based on weather conditions.
Fall Foliage Children's Race Winners Announced
This year's Children's Fair & Races were moved to the North Adams Armory on Saturday because of the potential for rain.
Road Closings, Times for 66th Fall Foliage Parade
This year, the parade will once again start at the intersection of State Street and Old State Street.
BHS Appoints General Surgeon to Fairview Hospital
Berkshire Health Systems has announced the appointment of Mark A. Taylor, II, MD, a General Surgeon, to the medical staff of Fairview Hospital and the provider staff of East Mountain Medical Specialty Services.
BHS Adds Board Certified Pulmonologist
Berkshire Health Systems announces the appointment of Dr. Joseph L. Simonson, a pulmonologist, to the medical staff of Berkshire Medical Center and the provider staff of Pulmonary Professional Services of BMC.
SVMC Welcomes New Surgeon to General Surgery
MacGregor received his medical degree from University Medicine and Health Sciences in St. Kitts. He completed his residency in General Surgery at Creighton University School of Medicine in Phoenix
Pittsfield Sidewalk Repairs Beginning Sept. 21
Please be advised of the upcoming sidewalk repair work in the city of Pittsfield scheduled to begin Wednesday, Sept. 21.
National Grid to Host Customer Energy Assistance Pop-Ups
Beginning Sept. 20 at McCann Technical School in North Adams, National Grid and other partners will be hosting customer energy assistance pop-ups, at which customers can meet with National Grid representatives
Vt Fish & Wildlife Warns About Rabbit Virus
There have been no cases in either state but Connecticut Department of Agriculture this week confirmed an outbreak in Hartford County that killed 14 domestic rabbits. The disease has also been found in New York State and New Jersey.
SVMC Adds New MD to Emergency Department
Dr. Kaftan earned his medical degree from the University of Nebraska and his bachelor’s in biology from the University of Dallas. He completed a residency in Emergency Medicine at Dartmouth Health in New Hampshire.
Great Barrington Police to Hold Officer Entrance Exam
The registration deadline is Friday, Sept. 30 at 9 a.m.
Medical Matters Weekly Welcomes Eating Psych Expert Sept. 21
Marc David, MA, is the bestselling author of the books, Nourishing Wisdom: A Mind Body Approach to Nutrition and Well-Being and The Slow Down Diet: Eating for Pleasure, Energy, and Weight Loss.
COVID-19 Resource Center Vaccinates Hundreds With Updated Boosters
The clinic exhausted its supply of Moderna and will be offering Pfizer boosters only in the coming days. In addition, a limited number of Pfizer shots available for Thursday’s clinic has caused the health system to reduce clinic hours to 8 to 10 a.m. on Thursday, September 15.
SVHC Announces July DAISY Award Winner
Amanda Crossman, RN, a nurse in the Emergency Department (ED) at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), was the July recipient of the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses at Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC).
Bird Observatory Director Speaking at Pittsfield Green Drinks
Nickley will discuss BBO's current research projects and will also show some of the many pictures of birds in hands captured this year.
Pittsfield Street Improvement Project Schedule Sept. 12 to 16
Please be advised of the following work that will take place Sept. 12 to 16, as part of the city of Pittsfield’s 2022 Street Improvement Project.
Girls on the Run VT Director Next Guest on Medical Matters Weekly
Desautels has been the executive director of Girls on the Run Vermont since 2019, before which she served as a statewide program manager, program coordinator for Northern Vermont, and a volunteer coach
SVHC to Have Hermitage Hoedown Fundraiser Oct. 1
The event will raise funds for Southwestern Vermont Health Care’s Vision 2020, A Decade of Transformation Capital Campaign, which includes the renovation and expansion of the institution’s Emergency Department and the construction of an all-new regional Cancer Center.
Polling Stations in Berkshire County
Where to vote:
SVMC Deerfield Campus Adds Family Nurse Practitioner
Lisa Moulton, family nurse practitioner, has joined SVMC Deerfield Valley Campus, part of Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) and Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC).
Medical Matters Weekly Welcomes Woebot Health Chief Clinical Officer
Robinson holds a PhD with a specialty in behavioral medicine from the Joint Doctoral Program at the University of California, San Diego/San Diego State University; a master's in clinical psychology from San Diego State University; and a bachelor's in psychology and social welfare from the University of California, Berkeley.
BERK12 to Pilot Two Dual Enrollment Courses
The courses will run during the school day with live virtual class meetings and likely opportunities for in-person experiences throughout the school year. Approximately 20 seats are available for each course.