New Plastic Surgeon at Berkshire Medical Center

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Dr. Rodrigo Santamarina, MD
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.
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Pittsfield Holds Second Master Plan Workshop

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Participants added notes to the sectors  such as transportation, open space and neighborhoods  being reviewed by the Master Plan Steering Committee. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The city is about halfway through developing its new master plan, and held a second community workshop this past Thursday. 

"Basically, we're talking to people from Pittsfield and trying to figure out, among a broad sector of issues that affect us, what is our goal and vision for the next 10 years, where we want Pittsfield to be in 10 years, and what changes do we want to see?" Director of Community Development Justine Dodds explained to about 20 community members and city staff at Conte Community School. 

"That will be broken down into some goals and objectives and then some measurable action items that we can all take as a community to move that forward."  

The Pittsfield Master Plan is the policy guide for future physical development, covering land use, infrastructure, sustainability, and more. The plan was last updated in 2009, and Pittsfield has engaged the VHB engineering firm and CommunityScale consultants to bring it through 2036. 

There have been two public listening sessions, a Master Plan Advisory Committee guiding the work, and small focus groups for each section. On poster boards, residents were able to see and mark the draft goals and actions under six themes: economic development, housing opportunities, transportation and infrastructure, environment and open space, neighborhoods and community, and governance and collaboration. 

In November 2025, community members participated in a similar exercise at City Hall. 

Transportation and infrastructure had several notes on them. Suggestions included using infrastructure to address the urban heat island effect, a light rail system, and continuing to implement Complete Streets standards for roadway construction projects. 

"I want to ride my bike to my friend's house safely," one respondent wrote. 

Under economic development, people suggested digital business infrastructure for the downtown, food hall opportunities, and nightlife opportunities. 

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