Gastroenterologist Moves Practice To New Location

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Dr. Schmelkin
PITTSFIELD - Berkshire Health Systems has announced that Ira Schmelkin, MD, a Gastroenterologist specializing in gastroenterological endoscopy, capsule endoscopy and liver disease, and with extensive experience in diagnostic and therapeutic colonoscopy and endoscopy, has moved his physician practice to a new location.  

Dr. Schmelkin has joined the BHS physician practice group and has relocated to the 6th Floor Physician Office Suite in the Berkshire Medical Center Medical Arts Complex, 777 North St., Pittsfield.

In his new practice, Dr. Schmelkin will continue to provide comprehensive Gastroenterology services, including diagnostic and screening colonoscopy and endoscopy services.

Dr. Schmelkin is an internationally recognized authority on capsule endoscopy, or "camera in a pill" technology, in which patients swallow a "camera pill" to visualize the intestinal tract. Dr. Schmelkin has performed thousands of these procedures, as well as having authored many studies and abstracts on Capsule Endoscopy. He has given many presentations and lectures on the use of Capsule Endoscopy in community clinical practice both nationally and internationally.

Dr. Schmelkin received his Medical Degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He is fellowship trained in Gastroenterology from Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City.

Prior to moving to the Berkshires in 2004, Dr. Schmelkin was in private practice in Great Neck, Long Island, New York, where he was the founding senior partner of Great Neck Gastroenterology Associates. He was an attending physician at North Shore University Hospital and New York University School of Medicine, where he taught clinical gastroenterology, as well as teaching at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Dr. Schmelkin has authored many abstracts and papers in leading gastrointestinal journals.

He is a member of the American Gastroenterologic Association, American College of Gastroenterology and the American Society of Gastroenterology Endoscopy.

For an appointment with Dr. Schmelkin, ask your physician for a referral or call 413-447-2858.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

North Adams Man Indicted on Murder, Arson Charges

Staff Reports
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Darius Hazard was arraigned in Berkshire Superior Court on Thursday on two counts of first-degree murder related to deaths of his parents last November. 
 
Hazard, 44, pleaded not guilty to the charges and to a third charge of arson of a dwelling house.
 
He is being held without bail at the Berkshire County House of Correction, where he has been housed since Nov. 25. 
 
Hazard is accused of assaulting his parents, Donald Hazard, 83, and Venture Hazard, 76, on Nov. 24, 2025, and setting fire to the family on Francis Street. 
 
The bodies of his parents were discovered in the home by firefighters. 
 
North Adams Police said Hazard allegedly confessed to the assaults and the arson when he was taken into custody that day.
 
Hazard was initially arraigned in Northern Berkshire District Court on Nov. 26 and was to appear for a pretrial hearing on March 3. That hearing was postponed but he was indicted March 23 on the felony charges and his case removed to Berkshire Superior Court. 
 
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