New Doctor Joins BHS Renal Services

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Health Systems announces the appointment of Dr. Kevin Quiusky, a board-certified and fellowship-trained nephrologist, to the medical staff of Berkshire Medical Center and to the physician staff of the BHS Kidney Disease and Hypertension Center.

Dr. Quiusky is accepting new patients in need of renal care and is partnered with doctors David Albert, Hani Erian, David Henner, Steven Lamontagne and Henry Rose, and nurse practitioners Sheila Silsby and Susan Downey Luhrmann.

Dr. Quiusky is board-certified in internal medicine and was fellowship-trained in nephrology at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. He received his medical degree from Universidad De El Salvador Medical School and completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center, New York University School of Medicine, in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Dr. Quiusky provides care at the Renal Dialysis Centers operated by Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield and the North Adams Campus of BMC. For an appointment, call the BHS Kidney Disease & Hypertension Center at 413-447-2764.

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.