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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New Camp Is Safe Place for Children Suffering Loss to Addiction

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

Last year's Happy Campers courtesy of Max Tabakin.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new camp is offering a safe place for children who have lost a parent or guardian to addiction. 
 
Director Gayle Saks founded the nonprofit "Camp Happy Place" last year. The first camp was held in June with 14 children.
 
Saks is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor who works at the Brien Center. One of her final projects when studying was how to involve youth, and a camp came to mind. Camp had been her "happy place" growing up, and it became her dream to open her own.
 
"I keep a bucket list in my wallet, and it's right on here on this list, and I cross off things that I've accomplished," she said. "But it is the one thing on here that I knew I had to do."
 
The overnight co-ed camp is held at a summer camp in Winsted, Conn., where Saks spent her summers as a child. It is four nights and five days and completely free. Transportation is included as are many of the items needed for camping. The camp takes up to 30 children.
 
"I really don't think there's any place that exists specifically for this population. I think it's important to know, we've said this, but that it is not a therapeutic camp," Saks said.
 
She said the focus is on fun for the children, though they are able to talk to any of the volunteer and trained staff. The staff all have experience in social work, addiction and counseling, and working with children.
 
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