Meet Doctor Nicole Payne

08:19AM / Thursday, November 04, 2021Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Nicole Payne, MD, FABPMR, a board-certified physiatrist to Physical Medicine and

Rehabilitation of BMC is accepting new patients in need of physiatry care.

Dr. Payne received her medical degree from the Medical College of Ohio and completed her residency at Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation both in Toledo, Ohio.

She fellowship-trained at Michigan Sports & Spine Center in Sports Medicine and Interventional Spine. She most recently worked at Northern Light A R Gould Orthopedics in Presque Isle, Maine.

Dr. Payne's approach to patient care is to "listen to her patients, address their needs and expectations, educate them on their options, focus on treatments that [she] offers, and lead them in right direction" to coordinate any care that may be needed beyond her office.

Her clinical interests in musculoskeletal medicine include:

Diagnostic and therapeutic ultrasounds
Nerve blocks
Wheelchair and amputee clinics
Botox injections for spasticity, dystonia, and migraine
Fluoro-guided joint injections
Hydrodistension for adhesive capsulitis and genicular nerve blocks
Xiaflex injections for Dupuytren's Contracture
Trigger point and trigger finger injections
Visco-supplementation

In her free time, Dr. Payne enjoys many creative activities, such as painting acrylic on canvas, quilting, nail art, sewing, and archery.

She has served as a foster parent and is an active community volunteer. Most recently, she organized activities for her community during the pandemic, such as socially distanced block parties and movie nights.

Dr. Payne is currently seeing patients at Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of BMC in the Pittsfield office.

For an appointment with Dr. Payne, ask your primary care physician for a referral, or call Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Services of BMC at 413-445-9353.

Tags: BHS, BMC,

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.

View Full Story