Trauma/General Surgeon Joins BMC Medical Staff

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Dr. Pfeifer
PITTSFIELD, Mass. - Berkshire Health Systems announces the appointment of Joseph L. Pfeifer, III, MD, a board certified and fellowship trained surgeon, to the medical staff of Berkshire Medical Center. Dr. Pfeifer will provide trauma, critical care and general surgery services to patients throughout the region.

Dr. Pfeifer came to the Berkshires after serving as an Associate professor of Surgery at Albany Medical College since 2005. He was the Interim Director of Trauma/Surgical Critical Care for the University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center from 2001 to 2002, where he also served as an Assistant Professor of Surgery from 2001 to 2005. While there, he was the recipient of the Brian Bednarz faculty award for surgical teaching. Previously, Dr. Pfeifer worked for the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, was president and medical director of Tri-State Trauma System in Erie, PA and acting director of trauma at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence.

Dr. Pfeifer is board certified by the American Board of Surgery in general surgery and surgical critical care. He served a fellowship in trauma at Brown University/Rhode Island Hospital. He received his medical degree from the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey- New Jersey Medical School, where he also completed his residency training in general surgery. He served in the US Navy in Operation Desert Storm with Fleet Hospital 6, Bahrain and held the rank of Commander.

Dr. Pfeifer's clinical interests include the management of serious soft tissue infections, advanced treatment of multiple rib fractures, minimally invasive treatment and monitoring modalities in critical care and trauma care of the elderly.

Dr. Pfeifer joins the BHS Surgical Services practice, located at the BMC Medical Arts Complex, 777 North Street, Pittsfield. For an appointment with Dr. Pfeifer, ask your physician for a referral or call 413-447-2745.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

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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