Williamstown's Sweet Brook Care Center awarded 3-year accreditation

12:00AM / Monday, July 08, 2002Print Story | Email Story

Sweet Brook Care Centers in Williamstown has been awarded a 3-year accreditation by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, following a three-day survey in June. Sweet Brook was awarded a "grid score" of 96 out of a possible 100. "I am so proud of the people of Sweet Brook," said K. Elaine Neely, chief executive officer of Sweet Brook and vice president of elder services for Northern Berkshire Health Systems (NBHS). "This is their achievement, and proof that they are fully committed to caring for the residents of Sweet Brook." "The score of 96 on a Joint Commission accreditation survey is a true measure of the quality of care we provide day in and day out here," said Dean Grimes, Sweet Brook administrator. Grimes noted that surveyors from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health also inspected Sweet Brook a few weeks ago and found no deficiencies. Director of Nursing Lorraine Mancuso, RN, BSN, said the survey included review of policies and procedures, chart review, and interviews with staff. The surveyor observed resident care at various times of day, including an unannounced visit during the evening. Sweet Brook participates in the accreditation process on a voluntary basis, according to Mancuso. Only about 2,800 long term care facilities in the United States are accredited. "Even though this is a very rigorous survey, we welcome the opportunity to demonstrate the quality of care we provide," she said. Mancuso added that the surveyor noted the cleanliness of the facility as another indicator of quality. Sweet Brook staff also presented information on two quality initiatives to the surveyor, one concerning Sweet Brook's wound prevention and management program, and the other a dehydration prevention effort. Mancuso said the surveyor was impressed by the results of those programs and suggested that they be submitted as candidates for a JCAHO quality award. Joint Commission standards are intended to help organizations achieve the highest level of performance possible, improve patient safety, and create an environment for continuous improvement. "Accreditation - especially voluntary accreditation -- signifies our commitment to quality care and quality improvement," said John Cronin, chief executive officer of NBHS. The Joint Commission is an independent, not-for-profit organization that evaluates and accredits almost 11,000 hospitals and home care agencies, and more than 7,000 other health care organizations. The Joint Commission is governed by a 28-member Board of Commissioners. Board members have diverse experience in health care, business, and public policy. The organization employs more than 500 physicians, nurses, health care administrators, and other experienced professionals to conduct accreditation surveys. Sweet Brook Care Centers is a subsidiary of Northern Berkshire Health Systems, whose family of health care providers also includes North Adams Regional Hospital, the Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice of Northern Berkshire, Sweetwood Continuing Care Retirement Community, and the REACH Community Health Foundation. For information on NBHS and its subsidiaries, call (413) 664-5000.

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McCann Recognizes Superintendent Award Recipient

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
05:32PM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Landon LeClair and Superintendent James Brosnan with Landon's parents Eric and Susan LeClair, who is a teacher at McCann.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Superintendent's Award has been presented to Landon LeClair, a senior in McCann Technical School's advanced manufacturing course.

The presentation was made last Thursday by Superintendent Jame Brosnan after Principal Justin Kratz read from teachers' letters extolling LeClair's school work, leadership and dedication.

"He's become somewhat legendary at the Fall State Leadership Conference for trying to be a leader at his dinner table, getting an entire plate of cookies for him and all his friends," read Kratz to chuckles from the School Committee. "Landon was always a dedicated student and a quiet leader who cared about mastering the content."

LeClair was also recognized for his participation on the school's golf team and for mentoring younger teammates.

"Landon jumped in tutoring the student so thoroughly that the freshman was able to demonstrate proficiency on an assessment despite the missed class time for golf matches," read Kratz.

The principal noted that the school also received feedback from LeClair's co-op employer, who rated him with all fours.

"This week, we sent Landon to our other machine shop to help load and run parts in the CNC mill," his employer wrote to the school. LeClair was so competent the supervisor advised the central shop might not get him back.

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