Fairview Commons Hires Nurse Practitioner

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GREAT BARRINGTON – Fairview Commons Nursing and Rehabilitation Center has hired a full-time nurse practitioner, according to Administrator Patricia Janchuk.

Susan Sperry has nearly three decades of experience in geriatric care, providing both acute and chronic care in a long-term care setting. Most recently, she worked at the New England Pain Diagnosis and Treatment Center at the Hillcrest Campus of Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield.

She gained her experience in geriatric rehabilitation, Alzheimer’s and dementia care, wound care, and administration at a long-term care facility in New York state. She began working at Fairview Commons in mid-January.

"I have a passion for geriatrics. It is certainly challenging, but it's the most gratifying for me," Sperry said. "Berkshire Healthcare has an excellent reputation and I'm thrilled to be here."

Fairview Commons is owned and operated by Berkshire Healthcare Systems Inc., which provides long-term care, rehabilitation and senior housing options in the Berkshires and beyond.

Janchuk said Sperry's expertise complements the outstanding work of the staff at Fairview Commons to offer a greater ability to diagnose and treat patients on-site at the facility.

"This will enhance our care here at Fairview Commons and lessen the need for our patients to have to move off-site in the case of complex health issues that sometimes arise," she said. "Our residents feel most comfortable here at their home and with the staff they know so well. Susan's expertise gives Fairview Commons the ability to treat more complex medical situations and keep our residents at home."

Sperry earned her master of science degree in nursing from Russell Sage College in Troy, N.Y. She has a bachelor of science in biology and psychology from the State University of New York at Brockport; an associate of applied science in nursing from Dutchess Community College, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and an associates in arts degree from Hudson Valley Community College in Troy.


Berkshire Healthcare Systems is a nonprofit company providing comprehensive short-term rehabilitation, subacute care and skilled nursing, and residential services in many communities across Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Ohio. Headquartered in Pittsfield, Mass., Berkshire Healthcare is an affiliate of Berkshire Health Systems, parent company of BMC. The organization operates 16 skilled nursing facilities with more than 2,300 beds, a continuing care retirement community and an assisted living facility. BHCS also employs more than 2,800 people.

Our Locations In The Berkshires:

  • Fairview Commons Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
  • Hillcrest Commons Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
  • Kimball Farms Nursing Care Center
  • Kimball Farms Life Care Community
  • Pine Hill Assisted Living at Kimball Farms
  • Mount Greylock Extended Care Extended Care Facility
  • North Adams Commons Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
  • Williamstown Commons Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
  • If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

    Lanesborough Town Meeting to Vote Budget, Bylaws & Vehicle Purchases

    By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

    LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Tuesday's annual town meeting includes a $14 million operating budget, new short-term rentals, accessory dwelling units and sign bylaws, and free cash article appropriations.

    Voters will gather at Lanesborough Elementary School on June 9 at 6 p.m. to decide on 20 warrant articles.

    The fiscal 2027 budget is up a little over 10 percent. Some of the main increases are the Mount Greylock Regional School District and McCann Technical School: the McCann assessment is up more than 30 percent based on factors including enrollment and the school renovation project, and Mount Greylock's is up 11 percent.

    Article 11 is for the town to vote to approve from free cash the sum of $16,298.48 for the McCann Technical School roof and window replacement project so as not to impact the budget. Article 3 is  appropriate $7,586,284 for Mount Greylock Regional School assessment.

    Another notable increase was in life and health insurance, showing an increase of about 26 percent.

    Ambulance Director Jen Weber is planning 24-hour coverage, which means more staff and a hike in her budget. One of the articles asks the town to appropriate $234,100 to operate the Ambulance Enterprise Fund for salaries and expenses.

    Many town departments are looking for new vehicles. The Fire Department is looking to replace its outdated 1996 fire engine. There are two articles related to the truck at a total of $813,366. Article 12 would transfer $225,000 from free cash into the Fire Truck Stabilization Fund; Article 13 would transfer $605,000 from the fund and authorize the borrowing of $208,366.08.

    The total includes a $100,000 contingency cost to cover any additional costs if a 2026 model-year chassis cannot be secured before new emissions standards go into effect in 2027.

    The board at its last meeting moved the $225,000 transfer to come before the borrowing article, changing the stabilization number. If the $225,000 is not voted on, then they will amend the next article's number on the floor, subtracting the $225,000. This shows the borrowing number significantly lower.

    Article 17 asks for the transfer of $80,000 from free cash to replace a police cruiser.

    Police Chief Rob Derksen's aim is to replace one vehicle every other year, meaning the oldest vehicle gets replaced about every 10 years. 

    He stressed that if delayed this year, the town may have to double up in a future year to get back on schedule, and that paying later usually costs more. The article will ask for $80,000 from free cash, the vehicles used to be funded by the BHRD.

    Lastly, the Highway Department is looking to replace a 2014 International dump truck that will be a total of $330,000 and will take two to three years to receive.

    Money will be used from last year's approval of $250,000 from free cash for the replacement of a 2012 highway front-end loader that was underspent $49,261. Town meeting is being asked to approve  a transfer of $53,274.85 from free cash and the use of $227,464 from funds from the Sale of Town Real Estate to fund the balance.

    Other free cash proposals include $1,200 to purchase software to support tracking and ongoing maintenance schedules of town-owned vehicles; $42,000 for the replacement of the Highway Department's storage shed roof, $200,000 to reduce the tax levy.

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