CHP Names New Physician to Great Barrington Health Center Medical Team

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Family medicine physician Dr. Lisa Nelson has joined the medical team at Community Health Programs Great Barrington Health Center.

Dr. Nelson, a Lenox resident, has practiced family medicine since 2005 in Pittsfield, and has served as director of medical education at Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in Stockbridge. She has also served as medical director for The Nutrition Center in Pittsfield.

She earned both her undergraduate and medical degrees at UMass Medical School. She completed her internship and residency in Family Medicine at Boston Medical Center and South Boston Community Health Center. 

Dr. Nelson is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the Massachusetts Academy of Family Physicians. She also serves on the faculty of UMass Medical School and the University of New England, College of Osteopathic Medicine. She is also lead faculty and coordinator of continuing medical education programs at Kripalu.

She is co-author of “Yoga & Diabetes,” and her practice focuses on prevention and treatment of chronic disease through changes in diet, exercise and stress.

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.