Northern Berkshire Health Systems has launched its EXCEL 2000 fund-raising campaign to improve quality of patient care in the hospital, home, and nursing home.
The 2000 campaign will raise $600,000 to fund the improvements, which will include new medical equipment, community health programming, and staff education.
“It sounds like a very ambitious goal, but you have to be ambitious in order to provide top health care to this community,†said Nicholas Flynn, chairman of the EXCEL Council, whose membership includes representatives of the community. “So we’re quite excited about achieving this goal.â€
He added, “These funds are used for tangible programs, tangible equipment, and we have measurable results that come from these funds.â€
Flynn said early contributions, pledges, and grants directed to EXCEL goals already total approximately $175,000.
“We have targeted specific needs across the local health system, and each of our goals will bring us to a higher level of excellence,†he said. “The campaign is off to a very strong start, thanks to several generous leadership gifts from the local business community.â€
Funds raised in 2000 will:
• Help to improve North Adams Regional Hospital's maternity center through the purchase of fetal monitors and physical improvements to the center to help make NARH the best place for Northern Berkshire mothers to give birth.
• Purchase a state-of-the-art automated medication delivery system, which will allow nurses to spend as much as 10,000 additional hours at the bedside each year.
• Add urgent care services in NARH’s Emergency Department to help especially the uninsured who need easier access to care.
• Train VNA & Hospice nurses as diabetes educators to help those with diabetes learn to control their illness and improve their lives.
• Purchase three new EKG monitors and a Zoll transport monitor with defibrillator to help treat those with heart disease. Heart disease affects a disproportionately high number of North Berkshire residents.
• Support the training of registered nurses and certified nurse assistants at Sweet Brook Care Centers so they can continue to achieve a “perfect score†as during their last state survey. It is extremely difficult to obtain sufficient funds for education in skilled nursing facilities.
• Expand NARH’s smoking cessation programs. Smoking rates in North Berkshire continue to exceed the state and national averages.
The 1999 EXCEL campaign exceeded expectations, raising $443,000, $43,000 more than its goal. Flynn thanked several major donors who have already come forward to support the 2000 campaign.
Virgil Stucker, NBHS vice president for external relations, said the system would be doing much more work in grant-seeking from private foundations and state and federal sources to supplement what the community contributes.
Flynn said two charitable events will support the EXCEL campaign: the NBHS/Hospice of Northern Berkshire Golf Tournament, on Friday, June 16, at Waubeeka Golf Links in Williamstown; and the Annual Evening of Dinner and Theater on July 26.
For information about EXCEL 2000, call the NBHS External Relations Office at 664-5140, or email info@nbhealth.org.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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