Dr. Ira Schmelkin Returns to BMC Gastroenterology Services

Print Story | Email Story
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.

Tags: BHS,   BMC,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Afternoon Arrival Estimated for Harris on Saturday

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to arrive in Pittsfield early Saturday afternoon, according to emerging information about the campaign event.

Gov. Maura Healey will greet her at Westfield-Barnes Airport around 12:30 p.m. The Pittsfield event is expected to start around 1:30 p.m.

"Please be advised that due to a special event occurring in the downtown area, we ask the public to follow all posted detours between 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 27," a press release from the city reads.

"Drivers should also expect delays downtown and should consider alternate routes. Parking restrictions will also be in place. Residents, visitors and event attendees should keep these temporary closures in mind when traveling."

Harris was scheduled for the sold-out event in downtown Pittsfield before being suddenly elevated to presidential candidate on Sunday. The original Biden-Harris fundraiser is now a Harris fundraiser but it was unclear if she would continue with her scheduled appearances.

Tickets sold out almost immediately, ranging from $100 to thousands of dollars.

"For security purposes," event details have not been disclosed such as the time and location.  It is assumed to occur at the Colonial Theatre based on a seating chart in the Eventbrite ticket link though, a representative from the theater last week denied knowledge of the event — then directed the caller to the Eventbrite link.

Josh Landes, WAMC's Berkshire bureau chief, has confirmed that he will be at the event and posted details to social media on Friday.

"We expect the program [at the Colonial Theatre] to begin at approximately 1:20 p.m. ET and for the show to conclude at 2:40 p.m. ET," the post reads.

"The program will include remarks from Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Ed Markey, Congressman Richie Neal, Fmr. Governor Deval Patrick and Heather Cox Richardson as well as performances by James Taylor, Yo-Yo Ma, and Emanuel Ax. Concessions will be available for purchase at the venue."

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories