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.
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Pittsfield Cannabis Cultivator Plans Dispensary

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD. Mass. — A cannabis cultivator and manufacturer has opted to sell its products on site in Downing Parkway. 

The Zoning Board of Appeals this month approved a special permit for J-B.A.M. Inc. to operate a dispensary out of its existing grow facility. There will only be changes to the interior of 71 Downing Parkway, as there will be less than 500 square feet of retail space in the 20,000-square-foot building. 

"My only concern would be the impact, and really would be traffic, which I don't think is excessive, the odor, if there was one, but that doesn't seem to be an issue, and I think it's a good location for a marijuana facility," board member Thomas Goggins said. 

The company's indoor cultivation site plan was approved in 2019, an amendment to add manufacturing and processing in 2021, and on the prior day, a new site plan to add a retail dispensary was approved by the Community Development Board. 

J-B.A.M. cannabis products are available in local dispensaries. 

The interior of the facility will be divided to accommodate an enclosed check-in area, front entrance, retail lobby, secure storage room, offices, and two bathrooms. There are 27 parking spaces for the facility, which is sufficient for the use. 

No medical or recreational cannabis uses are permitted within 500 feet of a school or daycare, a setback that is met, and the space is within an industrial park at the end of a cul-de-sac. 

"The applicant desires the restructuring of the business to be more competitive in the industry with the ability to grow and sell their own cannabis products so they have more financial stability," Chair Albert Ingegni III, read from the application. 

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