The BHS Board of Trustees engaged in a multi-year succession planning process that was designed to ensure a smooth leadership transition and support the strategic advancement of BHS
Rodowicz holds an MBA from Western New England College and a BS in accounting from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Health Systems Board of Trustees voted to appoint Executive Vice President Darlene M. Rodowicz as the next President and Chief Executive Officer.
The 20-member Board has unanimously voted to appoint Darlene Rodowicz as the next President and Chief Executive Officer, following the recent announcement of current CEO David E. Phelps's departure.
"When Dave shared his intention to retire with the Board several years ago, we asked that he participate in a thorough succession planning process," said Bart Raser, Chair of the Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) Board of Trustees.
The leadership transition will take place at BHS early in the new year.
Phelps, who after over 30 years with the organization, announced his retirement Monday.
Rodowicz joined BHS in 1984 and served in various positions of increasing responsibility, including as Chief Financial Officer from 2005-2020, when she was appointed Executive Vice President.
Raser explained that the BHS Board of Trustees engaged in a multi-year succession planning process that was designed to ensure a smooth leadership transition and support the strategic advancement of BHS.
"We wanted to guarantee that all health system leadership roles were staffed with skilled executives and that the Board would have a viable internal candidate to consider as a potential successor," he said. "After carefully coordinating the process and weighing all possible options, the Board is thrilled to appoint Darlene as the next CEO of Berkshire Health Systems, and, notably, the first female CEO in the organization's history."
Raser praised Rodowicz as a strong leader with more than 30 years of experience in healthcare, a deep knowledge of the Berkshire community, and a reputation among government leaders and healthcare colleagues across the Commonwealth. He highlighted Rodowicz's leadership in orchestrating BHS's successful pandemic response over the past two years.
"Darlene has demonstrated excellence, effectiveness, and grace under fire throughout the past two years in the battle against COVID-19. Berkshire County will be lucky to have her at the helm to face any new challenges that the pandemic and the healthcare industry may send our way," Raser said.
Phelps agreed.
"From working side-by-side for years, I know that Darlene is uniquely qualified for this position, and I couldn't be happier that she will be taking on this new role," he said.
Rodowicz expressed her appreciation to Phelps for maintaining the highest standards for integrity, dedication, and excellence throughout his career at BHS.
"Our organization has enjoyed great success under Dave's leadership. To be able to build upon all we've done together for decades is a tremendous opportunity," she said. "I am grateful that I will be able to partner with our extraordinary team of providers and healthcare professionals, who are the heart and soul of BHS. Caring for every person in our community is the reason why we all are here, and, as a Berkshire native, I can't think of a greater honor,."
Rodowicz holds an MBA from Western New England College and a BS in accounting from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
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ADOPTED! Companion Corner: Cali and Kyzer at Berkshire Humane Society
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
Great news, Kyzer and Cali found a home for Christmas already! Still looking for a new friend for the holidays? There are plenty of dogs and cats and small animals at Berkshire Humane who would love to go home with you.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — There's a bonded dog pair awaiting a new family at the Berkshire Humane Society.
Kyzer and Cali are both poodles. Kyzer is the male and is 7 years old, a quite a bit bigger than his sister Cali, who is a miniature of Kyzer and 8 years old.
Canine adoption counselor Rhonda Cyr introduced us to the two.
"They came from a household that couldn't hold on to them, and it sounds like they may have been abandoned by their previous owner with somebody else, and so they came to us looking for a new home," she said.
The two love to be around you and snuggle. But both are very happy dogs.
"Kyzer is 7 years old, and his personality is that he kind of wants to be in everything. He's very loving, very snuggly, as you can tell. And Callie here, she's 8 years old, and she is kind of like the life of the party," said Cyr. "She wants to tell you everything about her day, and she's a little bit of a little ham."
The two are considered seniors and really like soft treats as Cali just had a few teeth removed and Kyzer has a tooth procedure coming up.
"Currently, they really like soft treats, because they are both on the senior side of things. So they have had some dental work, so they are really in need of something softer. They are not big chewers at this age, really, their main focus right now is just really socializing and cuddling," Cyr said.
The two would love a quiet home with someone who wants to snuggle. They shouldn't go to a home with bigger dogs but if you have a dog, you can bring them in for a visitation with the poodles to see if they will get along. Cats will be fine and the preference is for older and more responsible children so that the pups don't get hurt, as they are senior citizens.
"The perfect home for them would be a quiet home that's not too active. Like I said, they're very social, so they could handle some visitors," she said. "They're very friendly, but I don't think that they would really enjoy any other dogs in the home."
Poodles need to be regularly groomed, and the prospective adopter will have to keep an eye on their health. Kyzer has a heart murmur that needs to be monitored. This doesn't mean he is in bad health, as he could live a perfectly normal life, but he will need to be checked by a veterinary specialist routinely.
"Ideally, he would go to a home that could provide further health care with a specialist in cardiac care. And you know, he could very well live out the rest of his life comfortably and happy," Cyr said. "We just don't have all that information at the moment, but I think that you know the way he's going right now. He's got a good spirit, and he seems to be pretty happy."
The shelter is hoping the to get them a home for the holidays.
"We would love to get them a home in time for the holidays. They've been here since the eighth of November, and they're really, really looking as much as the staff loves them here, we're really looking to get them into a home and somewhere nice and cozy so they can spend the rest of their life together," she said.
Kyzer and Cali are both poodles. Kyzer is the male and is 7 years old, and a little bigger than his sister Cali, who is a miniature of Kyzer and 8 years old.
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A 700-square-foot outdoor water attraction is planned for the 2.1-acre park at 30 John Street. City officials hope to have it operational by summertime.
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Jewish Federation of the Berkshires President Arlene Schiff opened the festivities with a recognition of the victims of Sunday's mass shooting in Australia and praise for a hero who helped stop the killing.
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