Final Debates Set for Berkshire District Attorney Candidates

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The three district attorney candidates competing for the Democratic nomination in September's primary will meet at least three more times. 
 
Paul Caccaviello, Andrea Harrington and Judith Knight are vying for the nomination that will essentially determine the winner in the race since there is no other candidate on the general election ballot. 
 
Caccaviello was first assistant district attorney for 14 years until his predecessor, David Capeless, stepped down in March so Caccaviello could run as the incumbent. He has worked in the district attorney's office as a prosecutor for nearly three decades. 
 
Harrington is a civil and criminal defense attorney who has defended death row inmates in the state of Florida and is  now an attorney at Connor & Morneau LLP. She has been practicing law for more than 15 years and first ran unsuccessfully for state senator two years ago.
 
Knight worked as a prosecutor and a public defender before entering private practice in 2003. An attorney for more than 20 years, Knight ran against Capeless in 2006 with a campaign centered on overzealous prosecution of youth caught peddling marijuana but lost.
 
The upcoming forums and debates are:
 
Tuesday, Aug. 14, at 6:30 p.m. at Becket Town Hall. Sponsored by the Becket Democratic Town Committee with state Sen. Adam Hinds as moderator. 
 
• Monday, Aug. 20, at 7 p.m. at Berkshire Community College sponsored by the Pittsfield Gazette with former Pittsfield Mayor Sara Hathaway as moderator.
 
• Thursday, Aug. 23, 7 p.m. at Hevreh of Southern Berkshire, 270 State Road, Great Barrington, sponsored by Hevreh, Berkshires Interfaith Organizing, and Multicultural Bridge.
 
• Tuesday, Aug. 28, 1 p.m., Berkshire Theatre Group's Fitzpatrick Main Stage, 6 East St., Stockbridge, sponsored by BTG and WAMC/Northeast Public Radio. Moderated by WMAC's  President Alan Chartock, Berkshire Bureau Chief Josh Landes and News Director Ian Pickus. To reserve seats: 413-997-4444 or berkshiretheatregroup.org. It will be broadcast on live on WAMC, wamc.org and on Facebook.

Tags: candidate forum,   debate,   election 2018,   primary,   


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BHS Provider Clinics Win MHQP Patient Experience Awards

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) announced that three of its primary care provider clinics have received awards from Massachusetts Health Quality Partners (MHQP) for being among the top practices in Massachusetts for patient experience in primary care.
 
The "MHQP Patient Experience Awards" is an annual awards program introduced in 2018 by MHQP, a non-profit measurement and reporting organization that works to improve the quality of patient care experiences in Massachusetts. MHQP conducts the only statewide survey of patient experience in primary care in Massachusetts.
 
"The teams at Adams Internists, Berkshire Internists and Lenox Family Health have worked extremely hard to provide their patients with the highest standard of compassionate, patient-centered care," said James Lederer, MD, BHS Chief Medical Officer and Chief Quality Officer. "Berkshire Health Systems is pleased by this recognition, which validates that our patients are receiving the quality communication, care, and support that they deserve, which is our highest priority."
 
Awards were given to top overall performers in adult primary care and pediatrics in each of nine performance categories. Adams Internists of BMC, Berkshire Internists of BMC and Lenox Family Health Center of BMC received recognition for the following awards for adult care:
  • Adams Internists of BMC: Distinction in Assessment of Patient Behavioral Health Issues
  • Berkshire Internists of BMC: Distinction in Patient-Provider Communications and How Well Providers Know Their Patients
  • Lenox Family Health Center of BMC: Distinction in Patient-Provider Communications and Office Staff Professional Experience
"It is not easy for a primary care practice to thrive in the current environment," said Barbra Rabson, MHQP's President and CEO. "We are thrilled to congratulate each of them on behalf of their patients for their exceptional commitment to excellence."
 
"Primary care is the foundation of our health care system," said Julita Mir, MD, MHQP's Board Chair. "The practices from all across the state recognized with this award have distinguished themselves where it matters most – in the experiences of their own patients."
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