BHS Expands Endocrinology Care With Addition of New Doctor

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Health Systems announces the appointment of Dr. Zaighum Rana, a board- certified and fellowship-trained endocrinologist, to the medical staff of Berkshire Medical Center and the physician staff of Endocrinology & Metabolism of BMC.

Dr. Rana is accepting new patients in need of endocrinology and metabolism services and is partnered with doctors Brian Phillips and Krithi Ramesh and nurse practitioners Robyn Korte and Roberta Mansen at Endocrinology & Metabolism of BMC.

Rana received his medical degree from Universitatea de Medicina si Farmacie, Grigore T Popa, Romania, and completed his residency in Internal Medicine at St. Mary's Hospital, Waterbury, Conn. He is fellowship-trained in geriatric medicine from the University of Oklahoma and Endocrinology from the University of Minnesota. He is board-certified in geriatric medicine and endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism.

For an appointment with Dr. Rana or one of his colleagues, ask your physician for a referral or call Endocrinology & Metabolism of BMC at 413-496-6838.

Pittsfield Affordable Housing Initiatives Shine Light, Hope

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
07:08AM / Saturday, December 20, 2025

Housing Secretary Edward Augustus cuts the ribbon at The First on Thursday with housing officials and Mayor Peter Marchetti, state Sen. Paul Mark and state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The holidays are here and several community members are celebrating it with the opening of two affordable housing initiatives. 

 

"This is a day to celebrate," Hearthway CEO Eileen Peltier said during the ribbon-cutting on Thursday. 

 

The celebration was for nearly 40 supportive permanent housing units; nine at "The First" located within the Zion Lutheran Church, and 28 on West Housatonic Street. A ceremony was held in the new Housing Resource Center on First Street, which was funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. 

 

The apartments will be leased out by Hearthway, with ServiceNet as a partner. 

 

Prior to the ribbon-cutting, public officials and community resource personnel were able to tour the two new permanent supported housing projects — West Housatonic Apartments and The First Street Apartments and Housing Resource Center. 

 

The First Street location has nine studio apartments that are about 300 square feet and has a large community center. The West Housatonic Street location will have 28 studio units that range between 300 to 350 square feet. All units can be adapted to be ADA accessible. 

 

The West Housatonic location is still under construction with the hope to have it completed by the middle of January, said Chris Wilett, Hearthway development associate.