BHS Expands Rheumatology Services With New Doctor

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Health Systems has further expanded its rheumatology services with the appointment of Dr. Liana Fraenkel, a board-certified and fellowship-trained rheumatologist.

Dr. Fraenkel joins the Berkshire Medical Center medical staff and the physician staff of Rheumatology Professional Services of BMC. She is accepting new patients in need of rheumatology care and is partnered with Drs. Lauren Dudley and Leonard Sigal at Rheumatology Professional Services of BMC.

Dr. Fraenkel is board-certified in internal medicine and rheumatology and was fellowship-trained in rheumatology at Boston Medical Center. She received her medical degree from McGill University, Montreal, and completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Montreal General Hospital.

Dr. Fraenkel comes to the Berkshires after serving since 1998 as section chief for rheumatology at the Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System and professor at Yale School of Medicine, Yale University.

For an appointment with Dr. Fraenkel or one of her colleagues, ask your physician for a referral or call Rheumatology Professional Services of BMC at 413-499-8551.

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.