When Trevor Bayliss, MD, was an undergraduate at Williams College and a member of the school's hockey team, he was diagnosed with cancer, a frightening diagnosis for anyone. Despite treatments, his symptoms only got worse, until he was readying himself to accept the inevitable terminal stage. But remarkably a physician steered him to a very common cancer medication that put his illness in remission. His journey made him realize that his career path was going to be in oncology, where he could help people facing similar circumstances and hopefully lead them to their own survivorship.
Dr. Bayliss is now the Medical Director of the Phelps Cancer Center at the Hillcrest Campus of BMC.
"Cancer can be one of the most physically and emotionally challenging realities anyone can face, and patients who have been diagnosed with cancer and their loved ones want and deserve the best care possible," said Dr. Bayliss. "The Phelps Cancer Center is the region's most advanced and comprehensive cancer program in a location that promotes healing and well-being right here in the Berkshires. Our patients will never face their cancer diagnosis alone. Every patient is supported by an entire team of highly skilled, compassionate providers who are trained specifically in cancer care, from physicians and nurses to social workers and therapists. Additionally, all patients are assigned an oncology nurse navigator who will guide them through every step of their cancer journey. Our goal is to eliminate confusion and reduce as much of the anxiety that comes with a cancer diagnosis as possible, so that our patients can focus on getting better."
"At the Phelps Cancer Center, we focus on the 'whole person,' meaning we rely on the latest scientific and technological innovations in cancer diagnosis and care as well as a full range of wellness therapies to achieve the best possible outcomes for our patients," said Dr. Bayliss. "Because different types of cancer behave and respond in different ways to a variety of treatments, we design treatment plans specifically customized to each unique patient."
A Berkshire native, born and raised in Williamstown, Dr. Bayliss returned to the area after fellowship training in Hematology Oncology at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in New Hampshire, where he also completed his residency training in Internal Medicine. He is board certified in Medical Oncology Hematology and Internal Medicine and has a medical degree from Albany Medical College.
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Pittsfield Cleans Downtown Litter, Works on Outreach Program
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — As the city develops a peer support outreach program, workers are clearing the downtown of potentially hazardous litter from the wintertime.
Over the past three weeks, the Health Department has sent out inspectors to assess sanitary conditions in the downtown, beginning on North Street, moving to First Street, and to the McKay Street parking garage.
"We've identified a lot of needles, and mostly needle caps and then small drug paraphernalia, and while we're identifying them, we're noting where we're finding them, and we're also picking them up and disposing of them properly," Director of Public Health Andy Cambi said.
"… We have not found any human waste sanitation issues currently, again, not to say that there isn't any, but I think it also speaks to the fact that we do have a new facility that's open, that's being run, The First, which does offer bathroom facilities, laundry facilities."
On Monday, he updated the Public Health and Safety subcommittee on the progress of the upcoming peer support outreach program and cleanup efforts in the area it will serve.
The First housing resource center opened in February in the basement of the Zion Lutheran Church with bathrooms, lounge spaces, lockers, and more. In its early days, it averaged about 50 visitors daily; on Sundays, an average of 70 visitors.
Cambi said he is in constant communication with ServiceNet, which is operating The First.
"It has been used heavily, so I think that speaks to the relief of issues that we're seeing in the downtown area in regards to those sanitation issues," he added.
"It's a great resource that's available that is being constantly used, so again, what it was intended for."
When the department comes across human waste, they will connect with Department of Public Works staff to have it cleaned and sanitized. Workers can make a clear distinction between pet and human waste, Cambi reported.
A statewide needs assessment prepared by the the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) for the state's new Comprehensive Housing Plan had a stark analysis of the current status of housing throughout Massachusetts.
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The building inspector's ticket book is running thin as the town starts to issue daily fines to Berkshire Concrete for its failure to submit a revised remediation plan for the unauthorized dig site. click for more
The Berkshire Regional Transit Authority is still working on maintaining its run schedules after dropping the route realignment proposal. click for more