PITTSFIELD, Mass. — March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month, highlighting colonoscopy screening, which can help to prevent colon cancer or to catch it early when it is most treatable.

 

At Berkshire Medical Center, the heart and soul of the Endoscopy Unit is Jacqueline Sciola, RN, who has worked there since 1985 and who, according to Gastroenterology Division Chief Jason Bratcher, MD, "has done basically every job in the unit."

 

Jackie Sciola was honored recently with the inaugural BMC Endoscopy Recognition Award, for her decades of service and community promotion of the importance of screening colonoscopy and endoscopic care.

 

In 2021, the BMC Endoscopy Units at the main hospital and the North Adams Campus of BMC provided over 9,500 endoscopies in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

"Without Jackie, we could not have weathered the pandemic we are currently experiencing. She is the glue that keeps us together and deserves enormous recognition," Dr. Bratcher said. "She is an amazing leader and has the respect of everyone she works with, is always ready to pitch in and help out, and above all, she is one of the kindest people I have ever met, always willing to provide a helping hand or an ear to listen."

 

Jackie would also remind our community that screening colonoscopy is recommended for those who are 45 and older if at average risk of colon cancer, and earlier if higher risk. Talk with your primary care physician and schedule your screening if you are due. Colonoscopy saves lives.