PITTSFIELD - Berkshire Health Systems announces the appointment of Rodrigo Santamarina, MD, a fellowship trained specialist in plastic, reconstructive and hand surgery, to the medical staff of Berkshire Medical Center. Dr. Santamarina, a highly regarded former Chief Resident in General Surgery at BMC returns to the Berkshires as part of a collaboration between Berkshire Health Systems and University of Massachusetts Memorial Healthcare, where Dr. Santamarina serves on the full time faculty in the Division of Plastic Surgery.
Dr. Santamarina's appointment to the BMC staff helps in Berkshire Health Systems' efforts to improve access to care for patients in need of complex plastic, reconstructive and hand surgery. Due to this collaboration, Dr. Santamarina is able to accept most insurance plans and also uninsured patients in need of reconstructive surgery.
Dr. Santamarina received his medical degree from Francisco Marroquin University in Guatemala City and completed a research fellowship in plastic surgery at Esthetique Internationale, the center for cosmetic plastic surgery enhancement, in collaboration with Oscar Ramirez, MD from Johns Hopkins Hospital. He completed his residency training in General Surgery at Berkshire Medical Center in 2003-2004. He also completed a fellowship in Hand Surgery and full training in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.
In addition to his specialization in hand surgery and providing general reconstructive surgery services, Dr. Santamarina has clinical interest in Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Surgery, Endoscopic Facial Plastic Surgery, breast reconstruction/ reduction/augmentation, body contour surgery, Cosmetic Surgery and Rhinoplasty and facial implants.
For an appointment with Dr. Santamarina, ask your primary care physician for a referral or call his office at 413-499-0431.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
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so nice to have a new well trained plastic surgeon in town
Horrible plastice surgeon. Barely talks to his patients about their concerns, lets his nurse do everything, and DOESN'T FOLLOW-UP WITH THE HEALING PROCESS! Horrible experience, paid a ton of money to get treated like I was insignificant and he did not even finish his job!
Berkshire Towns Can Tap State Seasonal Communities Resources
BOSTON — Governor Maura Healey announced that 18 additional municipalities across Massachusetts have been designated as Seasonal Communities, opening up new tools, support and grant funding to help them manage seasonal housing pressures.
Created as part of the historic Affordable Homes Act signed into law by Governor Healey in 2024, the Seasonal Communities designation was designed to recognize Massachusetts communities that experience substantial variation in seasonal employment and to create distinctive tools to address their unique housing needs. The law also established the Seasonal Communities Advisory Council (SCAC).
All municipalities in the counties of Dukes and Nantucket;
All municipalities with over 35 percent seasonal housing units in Barnstable County; and
All municipalities with more than 40 percent seasonal housing units in Berkshire County.
To identify additional communities, the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (HLC) reviewed available data, specifically focusing on cities and towns with high levels of short-term rentals and a high share of second- or vacation homes.
In Berkshire County, Egremont, Great Barrington, Lee, Lenox, New Marlborough, Richmond, Sandisfield, Sheffield, West Stockbridge and Williamstown have been designated.
"Our seasonal communities are a vital part of Massachusetts' cultural and economic fabric, but they're also home to essential workers, families, seniors, and longtime residents who deserve a place to live year-round," said Governor Healey. "That's why we're committed to supporting these communities with innovative solutions like the Seasonal Communities designation to meet their unique needs, and I'm thrilled that we're offering this opportunity to 18 additional communities across the state. Everyone who calls these places home should be able to live, work and grow here, no matter the season."
As with the statutorily identified communities, acceptance of the designation for municipalities is voluntary and requires a local legislative vote. HLC will open an application for newly eligible communities that haven't accepted the Seasonal Communities designation to request consideration.
The Affordable Homes Act created several new tools for communities who accept the Seasonal Communities designation to be able to:
Acquire deed restrictions to create or preserve year-round housing
Develop housing with a preference for municipal workers, so that our public safety personnel, teachers, public works and town hall workers have a place to live
Establish a Year-Round Housing Trust Fund to create and preserve affordable and attainable housing for year-round residents
Create year-round housing for artists
Allow seasonal communities to develop a comprehensive housing needs assessment
Permit tiny homes to be built and used as year-round housing
Permit year-round, attainable residential development on undersized lots
Increase the property tax exemption for homes that are the owners' primary residence
The Wildcats marched 84 yards in a drive that consumed 11 minutes, 17 seconds of the third quarter for a critical touchdown in a 48-36 win over Boston’s Cathedral High in the quarter-finals of the Division 8 Tournament. click for more
Evelyn Julieano and Leanne Maschino each put down seven kills, and the Lenox volleyball team came out strong in advancing past Whitinsville Christian in three sets in the Division 5 State Tournament quarter-finals on Friday.
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Kofi Roberts and Everett Bayliss remained tied for the team lead with 14 goals apiece, and Lucas Burrow notched his second goal as Mount Greylock (11-6-1) won for the fourth time in five games and earned its third shutout victory in the Western Mass tournament. click for more
GG Nicastro scored in the 37th minute to break a 1-1 tie, and the Mount Greylock girls soccer team Wednesday went on to a 2-1 win over Monson in the Western Massachusetts Class C Championship Game at Berkshire Community College.
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Primary setter Grace Julieano had 22 assists – 10 of them to her sister Evelyn and eight to Sara Isby in Saturday's three-set win over Mount Greylock. click for more
Darius Taliaferro and Cameron Coon each scored a goal on Friday to lead the Mount Everett boys soccer team to a 2-1 win over Gateway Regional. click for more
