Dr. Brahmanandam Joins BMC As Head of Vascular Surgery

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Health Systems announces the appointment of Soma Brahmanandam, MD, MPH, as the new Director of Vascular Surgery. 
 
Dr. Brahmanandam joins the Berkshire Medical Center (BMC) medical staff and the provider staff of Berkshire Surgical Services of BMC. She is accepting new patients in need of Vascular care.
 
Dr. Brahmanandam previously served as a vascular surgeon at Mount Sinai Queens Hospital in New York, where she was the Medical Director for Quality and Patient Safety. She was also an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Previously, Dr. Brahmanandam was in private practice with Prima CARE Center for Vascular Diseases in Fall River.
 
She is board certified in general and vascular surgery, specializing in surgical and endovascular approaches to arterial and venous diseases including peripheral vascular disease, aortic aneurysms, carotid artery disease, mesenteric occlusive disease, dialysis access, venous thrombosis, and varicose veins. Dr. Brahmanandam is fellowship trained in Vascular Surgery from the Cleveland Clinic Foundation/Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine.
 
Dr. Brahmanandam earned her medical degree from Brown University School of Medicine in Providence, RI. She completed her residency in general surgery at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester. During this time, she received a Master of Public Health in epidemiology and biostatistics from the Harvard School of Public Health.
 
Dr. Brahmanandam's approach to patient care is evidence-based and patient-centered, and she encourages patients to be active participants in their medical care. In her free time, she enjoys traveling internationally, hiking, and studying history. She also loves to bake.
 
For an appointment with Dr. Brahmanandam, ask your primary care provider for a referral or call Berkshire Surgical Services of BMC at 413-445-6420

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New Camp Is Safe Place for Children Suffering Loss to Addiction

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

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.
 
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