PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Dr. Ashley Miller, a orthopaedic surgeon with Berkshire Orthopaedic Associates, wants patients to know the importance of bone health as October is a month to celebrate World Osteoporosis Day. 

 

Berkshire Medical Center has received national Star Performer recognition from the American Orthopaedic Association's Own the Bone program for seven years straight, partnering with Berkshire Orthopaedic Associates, where Dr. Miller practices along with several other outstanding providers.

 

"I prefer to connect with patients on a humanistic level, which gets at the very core of medicine," he said. "My goal is helping patients achieve a degree of functionality that is better than what they had before care, so that they can lead healthier and pain-free lives."

 

To that end, Dr. Miller describes himself as a generalist in the area of orthopaedics, who enjoys fixing fractures the most. But like many surgeons, Dr. Miller said procedures that make an immediate difference on an individual's quality of life are particularly gratifying.

 

"Restoring someone's mobility or functionality is really an awesome experience," he said. "Maybe it's because I'm such an active person myself."

 

Berkshire Medical Center is one of more than 275 health-care institutions nationwide that has taken initiative to ensure its osteoporotic fracture patients receive the highest quality care by implementing the American Orthopaedic Association's (AOA) Own the Bone program. The program is aimed to better identify, evaluate, and treat patients that suffer from an osteoporosis or low bone density-related fracture. The program brings attention to the severe health implications of fragility fractures (broken bones that result from a fall from standing height or less) and the multifaceted approach hospitals or clinics can incorporate to ensure these patients receive the most comprehensive care.

 

Star Performer designation is reserved only for institutions that have achieved a 75 percent compliance rate with at least five of the 10 Own the Bone prevention measures. Berkshire Orthopaedic Associates has achieved between 98 and 100 percent compliance on all 10 measures, based on data from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022.

 

Dr. Miller earned his medical degree from the University of Vermont College of Medicine and completed his orthopaedic surgical residency at the University of Cincinnati.

 

Having grown up in Vermont, among its scenic terrain, Dr. Miller's move to the Berkshires was in part so that he could be surrounded by mountains once again, and is reveling in the many opportunities for trail running, mountain biking, skiing, and hiking with his dog.

 

For an appointment with Dr. Miller or one of his colleagues, call Berkshire Orthopaedic Associates at 413-499-6600.