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 Temporarily Closes

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The Holiday Inn & Suites is temporarily shut down, and 101 Restaurant & Bar has closed its doors until further notice. 

The hotel has been closed since Sept. 25, after its last working elevator of three broke down.  The Berkshire Eagle reported that guests were forced to evacuate because an elevator broke down. 

On Wednesday, 101 Restaurant & Bar posted on Facebook that they would close until further notice due to circumstances beyond their control and the closure of the Holiday Inn. 

"We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. We thank you and our staff for your patience. We look forward to welcoming you back as soon as we are able," the owners wrote. 

The central downtown, 12-story hotel has nearly 180 guest rooms.  Massachusetts requires public multi-level buildings and facilities to have elevator access. 

The Holiday Inn recently demolished its crumbling parking garage and is replacing it with a smaller one.  The building at 1 West Street was constructed in 1972; it was formerly known as the Crowne Plaza. 

101 Restaurant opened five years ago within the hotel.  It is owned by John and Tucker McNinch, who formerly operated the Olde Heritage Tavern in Lenox. 

Signs on the hotel's entrance explain that the doors are temporarily locked.  Anyone with questions is encouraged to call (413) 499-2000. 

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