New Primary Care Physician Joins CHP Neighborhood Health Center

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. - Berkshire Health Systems announces the appointment of Karissa M. Scarabino, DO, MPH, a board certified family medicine physician, to the medical staff of Berkshire Medical Center and the primary care physician team at the Community Health Programs (CHP) Neighborhood Health Center (NHC).

Dr. Scarabino joins Mario Flores, MD, Carlos Valle-Santana, MD, Shazia Wali-Jan, MD, and Charles Wohl, MD, in providing primary care services to the community through the CHP Neighborhood Health Center, 510 North St., Pittsfield.

Dr. Scarabino is board certified in Family Medicine and received her medical degree from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in Biddeford, ME. She completed her residency training in Family Medicine at St. Clare's Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program in Schenectady, NY, and a second residency training program in Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Scaraboni received a Master of Public Health from the
University at Albany.


The CHP NHC is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), a non-profit, federally designated organization that improves access to care and services for the community, particularly for those who are either uninsured or under-insured. Services at the CHP NHC are provided regardless of the patient's ability to pay, while the NHC also accepts all types of health insurance. The NHC provides services for patients and families of all ages, with access to a broad range of services provided on-site or by referral, including pediatrics, obstetrics and
gynecology, dental care, nutrition and outreach, in addition to primary care services.

For more information on the CHP NHC or to make an appointment with Dr. Scarabino or one of her colleagues, call 413-447-2351.
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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
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