Dr. Ira Schmelkin Returns to BMC Gastroenterology Services

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) announced the appointment of Ira J. Schmelkin, MD, a board-certified and fellowship-trained Gastroenterologist to the medical staff of Berkshire Medical Center and the provider staff of Gastroenterology Professional Services of BMC.  
 
Dr. Schmelkin had previously served at Berkshire Medical Center as chief of the division of gastroenterology from 2004 to 2011. He is accepting new patients in need of Gastroenterology care and is partnered with Drs. Jason Bratcher, Jeffrey St. John, Ketisha De Roche and Mark Sterling, and Brittney Alexander, FNP, Shawn Bunnell, NP, Heather Fusick, NP, Cyndi Goodrich, PA-C, Christina Lima, NP-C, and Crystal Shaw, NP at Gastroenterology Professional Services of BMC.
 
His area of expertise is capsule endoscopy (camera pills), and clinical interests include small bowel disease, inflammatory bowel disease, colon cancer screening, clinical research and general gastroenterology.
 
Dr. Schmelkin returns to the Berkshires after a ten-year tenure at Baystate Medical Center and Baystate Noble Hospital and served as the chief of gastroenterology at Baystate Health. He previously worked at St. Francis Hospital in Roslyn, NY, and North Shore Long Island Jewish Health System, where he was in private practice.
 
Dr. Schmelkin is board certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology and was fellowship trained in Gastroenterology at Mount Sinai Hospital, NY. He received his medical degree from the State University of New York, Buffalo School of Medicine, and completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital.
 
For an appointment with Dr. Schmelkin, ask your primary care provider for a referral, or more information, call Gastroenterology Professional Services of BMC at 413-499-8590.

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Pittsfield Holiday Inn Closure Continues; Layoffs Reported

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — More than a month after the Holiday Inn & Suites abruptly closed its doors, reports have emerged of employee layoffs.
 
The hotel has been closed since Sept. 25, when the last of its three elevators broke down. The 101 Restaurant & Bar, located inside the hotel, has also been a casualty of the closure, temporarily shutting its doors while repairs are underway.
 
Now, The Berkshire Eagle reports that 20 hotel employees across all departments have been laid off and it remains unknown when the hotel will reopen amidst ongoing issues with the building. The Holiday Inn & Suites declined to comment to iBerkshires' inquiries. 
 
According to The Eagle, hotel facilities manager Pete Leidt said approximately five employees remain on staff and expressed hope that those who were laid off could return when the hotel reopens.
 
When the elevator stopped working, emergency medical technicians and firefighters assisted more than half a dozen people with mobility disabilities down the stairs, Building Commissioner Rian Dowd previously told iBerkshires. 
 
"So with the no working elevators, we shut the building down," she said. 
 
The central downtown, 12-story hotel has nearly 180 guest rooms. Massachusetts requires public multi-level buildings and facilities to have elevator access.
 
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