Dr. Veeranna Joins Cardiology Services at BMC

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Health Systems announces the appointment of Dr. Vikas Veeranna, a board-certified and fellowship-trained cardiologist, to the medical staff of Berkshire Medical Center and the physician staff of Cardiology Professional Services of BMC.

Dr. Veeranna is accepting new patients in need of cardiology care and is teamed with Drs. Jeffrey Leppo, Kyle Cooper, Kristen Currie, David Finck, Douglas Herr, William Levy, Henry Lyle, Lisa Massie, Teresa Menendez, Andrew Potash, Mara Slawsky and Georgianne Valli-Harwood at Cardiology Professional Services of BMC.

Dr. Veeranna is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease and completed his residency at Wayne State University/Detroit Medical Center. He was fellowship trained in Cardiovascular Diseases at Wayne State University and in Advanced Cardiac Imaging at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. He received his medical degree from Bangalore Medical College in India.

Cardiology Professional Services of BMC has three locations across the Berkshires, in Pittsfield, Great Barrington and North Adams. To make an appointment with Dr. Veeranna or one of his colleagues, ask your physician for a referral or call 413-395-7580.

New Camp Is Safe Place for Children Suffering Loss to Addiction

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:26AM / Saturday, December 27, 2025

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.