Emergency Medicine Physician Honored with BMC Patient-Centered Award

Print Story | Email Story
PITTSFIELD, Mass. A BMC Emergency Medicine physician has been recognized with the 2021 Patient-Centered Physician Award, presented annually to a physician who exemplifies the philosophy of patient-centered care at BMC. 
 
Batya Cohen, MD, a member of the BMC Emergency Department, was awarded the honor during a special ceremony in May.
 
According to a press release, Dr. Cohen received praise from her colleagues at BMC for her patient-centered commitment to compassionate care. The award is based on nominations received from members of the BMC staff, and Dr. Cohen received numerous nominations. 
 
Included among them were comments such as:
 
"Her kind demeanor speaks to the soul. The entire ED team has learned many lessons from her in humanity and her approach to patients. I am often drawn to her when she is working for that simple reason."
 
"I have seen Dr. Cohen sit and comfort a crying patient because they had no one else to turn to. She is the definition of a patient-centered physician."
 
"Dr Cohen shows compassion and respect to every patient she encounters."
 
"Dr. Cohen always approaches patients in a friendly and empathetic way. This approach provides a calming and reassuring environment which immediately helps promote healing."
 
"She always shares stories to empower us, to remind us, to enlighten us on how to be more patient-centered in the hardest of times, during stressful times, every day, every patient, every moment."
 
"She is the backbone of the Emergency Department."
 
The staff of Berkshire Medical Center submitted nominations for the award. 
 
Also in a press release: the award focuses on communicating with patients and families, involving patients in healthcare decisions, taking the time to talk with patients and listen to their concerns, and working collaboratively and respectfully with all other members of the care team so that everyone can do their very best in addressing patient care issues. These behaviors exemplify a growing philosophical belief that all care activities must be centered around the patients' needs, rather than hospital or individual routines and schedules.
 
The Patient-Centered Physician Award is presented each year, normally in conjunction with National Doctors Day. Previous recipients of the Patient Centered Physician Award are: Drs. Robert Wespiser, Richard Perera, Todd Lasner, Ronald Hayden, Paula Aucoin, Andrew Beckwith, Wade Gebara, Rocco Iannucci, Marcella Bradway, William DeMarco, Michael McHugh, Michael DeLeo, Hafez Alsmaan, Dennis Owens, Cynthia Callahan, Henry Rose and Adrian Iusco.

Tags: BHS,   BMC,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories