North Adams Regional Hospital’s mammography service has been re-licensed

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass - North Adams Regional Hospital’s mammography service has been re-licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, following a survey in September. Re-licensure indicates that NARH’s mammography service meets Food and Drug Administration standards as well as those of the Massachusetts DPH, said André Langlois, MD, chief of radiology at NARH.

“Coming as this does during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we are especially pleased to earn re-licensure from the state,” said Dr. Langlois. The hospital’s medical imaging department has also been designated a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology.

The re-licensure survey examines radiation levels during an exam, staff qualifications, film quality, processor quality control, and quality control and assurance measures, according to Dr. Langlois.

The Center of Excellence designation is awarded when a breast imaging center has achieved accreditation in stereotactic breast biopsy, breast ultrasound, and ultrasound-guided breast biopsy by the American College of Radiology or other accrediting body in mammography.

NARH’s medical imaging department performed nearly 6,500 mammograms and breast ultrasounds last year.

“Achieving these levels of performance and service speaks to the dedication and quality of our staff and physicians,” added Dr. Langlois. “Our team of radiologists, radiologic technologists, and support staff are committed to providing the best care using very advanced technology to produce excellent diagnostic results.”

To accommodate patients’ schedules, NARH offers evening mammogram appointments on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 7 p.m. Patients can schedule screening mammograms without a referral by calling (413) 664-5405.

North Adams Regional Hospital is a full-service community hospital serving northern Berkshire County and surrounding towns in Vermont and New York.
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Pittsfield Housing Project Adds 37 Supportive Units and Collective Hope

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— A new chapter in local efforts to combat housing insecurity officially began as community leaders and residents gathered at The First on to celebrate a major expansion of supportive housing in the city.

The ribbon was cut on Thursday Dec. 19, on nearly 40 supportive permanent housing units; nine at The First, located within the Zion Lutheran Church, and 28 on West Housatonic Street.  The Housing Resource Center, funded by Pittsfield's American Rescue Plan Act dollars, hosted a celebration for a project that is named for its rarity: The First. 

"What got us here today is the power of community working in partnership and with a shared purpose," Hearthway CEO Eileen Peltier said. 

In addition to the 28 studio units at 111 West Housatonic Street and nine units in the rear of the church building, the Housing Resource Center will be open seven days a week with two lounges, a classroom, a laundry room, a bathroom, and lockers. 

Erin Forbush, ServiceNet's director of shelter and housing, challenged attendees to transform the space in the basement of Zion Lutheran Church into a community center.  It is planned to operate from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. year-round.

"I get calls from folks that want to help out, and our shelters just aren't the right spaces to be able to do that. The First will be that space that we can all come together and work for the betterment of our community," Forbush said. 

"…I am a true believer that things evolve, and things here will evolve with the people that are utilizing it." 

Earlier that day, Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus joined Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll and her team in Housatonic to announce $33.5 million in federal Community Development Block Grant funding, $5.45 million to Berkshire County. 

He said it was ambitious to take on these two projects at once, but it will move the needle.  The EOHLC contributed more than $7.8 million in subsidies and $3.4 million in low-income housing tax credit equity for the West Housatonic Street build, and $1.6 million in ARPA funds for the First Street apartments.

"We're trying to get people out of shelter and off the streets, but we know there are a lot of people who are couch surfing, who are living in their cars, who are one paycheck away from being homeless themselves," Augustus said. 

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