OB/GYN Physician, Surgeon Joins BMC Medical Staff

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Dr. Lauren B. Slater
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Health Systems appointed Lauren B. Slater, an obstetrician and gynecologist with a specialization in robotic gynecologic surgery, to the Berkshire Medical Center staff.

Slater joins Berkshire OB/GYN Associates, practicing with doctors Andrew Beckwith, Robert Benner, Herbert Kantor, Cassandra Service and Michael Shreefter.

She received her medical degree from the State University of New York Upstate Medical School in Syracuse, N.Y. and completed her residency training at St. Francis' Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford, Conn.

In addition to providing general obstetric and gynecological services, Slater will provide gynecologic surgery utilizing BMC's da Vinci Surgical System - a state-of-the-art, robotic-assisted system that allows the surgeon to perform complex surgery with precision through very small incisions.

Slater is accepting new patients. For more information or to make an appointment with Slater or one of her colleagues, call 413-499-8570.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

North Adams Man Indicted on Murder, Arson Charges

Staff Reports
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Darius Hazard was arraigned in Berkshire Superior Court on Thursday on two counts of first-degree murder related to deaths of his parents last November. 
 
Hazard, 44, pleaded not guilty to the charges and to a third charge of arson of a dwelling house.
 
He is being held without bail at the Berkshire County House of Correction, where he has been housed since Nov. 25. 
 
Hazard is accused of assaulting his parents, Donald Hazard, 83, and Venture Hazard, 76, on Nov. 24, 2025, and setting fire to the family on Francis Street. 
 
The bodies of his parents were discovered in the home by firefighters. 
 
North Adams Police said Hazard allegedly confessed to the assaults and the arson when he was taken into custody that day.
 
Hazard was initially arraigned in Northern Berkshire District Court on Nov. 26 and was to appear for a pretrial hearing on March 3. That hearing was postponed but he was indicted March 23 on the felony charges and his case removed to Berkshire Superior Court. 
 
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