BCC Now Admitting Students into Respiratory Care Program

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) is now accepting applications for the fall semester for its Respiratory Care program. 
 
The program is part of a workforce development pipeline at Berkshire Health Systems (BHS), otherwise known as the "talent pipeline," which is designed to create a direct career path from education and training to full-time employment at BHS.  
 
The largest employer in the Berkshires, BHS covers the cost of all training in its pipeline programs and also offers trainees full-time pay with benefits while they are completing their training. 
 
"In as little as two years, students can earn an associate degree in respiratory therapy at BCC, then complete their training at BHS, where respiratory therapists are in demand," said Lori Moon, BCC Dean of Nursing. "It's a fantastic partnership that benefits both BCC students and the growing healthcare workforce in the Berkshires." 
 
Respiratory care practitioners help treat patients with a wide range of cardiopulmonary illnesses, including asthma or heart failure. Respiratory care includes diagnostic testing and administering oxygen, various other gases and aerosol drugs. 
 
BCC's two-year Respiratory Care program, a sequence of lecture, laboratory and clinical courses, prepares students to become Certified Respiratory Therapists (CRTs) and Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRTs). The program combines coursework and hands-on training, emphasizing the rigorous technical and academic competencies required of a respiratory therapist. Students who complete the program are eligible to take the National Board for Respiratory Care examination. 
 
Graduates of the program are employed in diverse areas of healthcare, holding positions such as neonatal/pediatric specialists, adult critical care specialists, pulmonary rehabilitation specialists, critical care transport therapists, home-care therapists, clinical educators and many more. The projected average salary of respiratory therapists working in the United States is more than $73,000 per year. In Massachusetts, respiratory therapists earn a median wage of $73,000 to $87,000. 
 
The Respiratory Care program at BCC is accredited by The Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).? For more information, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/respiratory-care

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Friday Front Porch: Luxurious Lakefront Property

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Are you looking for a lakefront estate to spend your days? Then this might be the home for you.

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 140 Hancock Road.

This house was built in 2015 and has eight bedrooms and seven bathrooms. It is 6,986 square feet on a little over an acre. 

The house sits on Pontoosuc Lake and includes private lake access and a pool with an expansive deck. 

The kitchen is equipped with Wolf and SubZero appliances and there is a full outdoor kitchen as well. The property has three additional separated living quarters, each with a kitchen and its own living room. 

The house also includes a big garage for multiple cars or more.

It is on the market for $4,900,000.

We spoke with Elisha Poirier from Stone House Properties LLC, which has the listing.

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?

What truly sets this property apart is the incredible scale combined with its premier lakefront setting. With over 7,400 square feet of space, eight bedrooms, multiple independent living quarters, and extensive garage capacity, it offers a level of versatility that is very rare in the Berkshires. The sweeping views of Pontoosuc Lake and Mount Greylock, along with private lake access, a pool, and exceptional indoor and outdoor entertaining spaces, create a lifestyle that feels more like a private resort than a traditional home.

What was your first impression when you walked into this home?

My first impression was the sense of openness and how immediately your eye is drawn to the water. The layout was clearly designed to highlight the views, and the natural light combined with the scale of the space makes the home feel both grand and welcoming at the same time.

How would you describe the feel or atmosphere of this home?

The atmosphere is both luxurious and relaxed. It has the presence and amenities of a high-end estate, but the lakefront setting and thoughtfully designed living spaces make it feel comfortable and inviting. It's a home that works just as well for quiet mornings by the water as it does for hosting large gatherings.

What kind of buyer do you see this home being perfect for?

This home would be ideal for someone who loves to entertain and host family and friends, or for a multi-generational family looking for both shared space and private living areas. It could also appeal to someone looking for a true retreat in the Berkshires, whether as a primary residence or a luxury getaway.

What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?

It's easy to picture spending your mornings looking out over the lake, afternoons enjoying the pool or taking the boat out from your private dock, and evenings gathered around the outdoor kitchen or fire pit with friends and family. The property is designed so that everyday life feels like a vacation.

What do the current owners love most about this home?

What they love most is the incredible connection to the lake and the views. The property offers privacy while still feeling open to the natural beauty around it. They've also enjoyed the ability to host large gatherings while still offering guests their own comfortable and private spaces.

Are there any standout design features or recent renovations?

Some of the standout features include the chef's kitchen with high-end Wolf and SubZero appliances, multiple private living quarters with their own kitchens and entrances, and expansive outdoor entertaining areas with a built-in kitchen, pool, and fire pit. The home also includes a whole-house audio system, five laundry units, and premium Pella iron-clad windows and doors, all thoughtfully designed with sustainability and efficiency in mind. The property is insulated with spray foam throughout, maximizing energy efficiency while also providing superior protection from the strong winds often experienced on the lake.

You can find out more about this home on its listing here.

*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.

 

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