Fairview Hospital Receives Recognition for Quality Patient Care and Experience

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Fairview Hospital, a Critical Access Hospital and an affiliate of Berkshire Health Systems, has been awarded a five-star rating by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for quality patient care.
 
The overall rating, between one and five stars, provides consumers with a summary of a hospital's overall quality performance averaged into a single summary score, with five-stars being the highest rating. Scores are determined from a variety of data reported, including mortality, safety of care, timely and effective care, readmissions, and patient experience. 
 
Fairview Hospital is one of two hospitals in Massachusetts to earn the five-star rating.
 
"Fairview Hospital consistently achieves high marks for its patient care and quality," said Darlene Rodowicz, President & CEO of Berkshire Health Systems. "The providers and staff at Fairview can be justifiably proud of their dedication to the highest standards of patient care for the south Berkshire community."
 
Fairview Hospital was also named one of the top sixty-seven top hospitals nationwide recognized for quality and patient experience by CMS based on survey responses from patients about nurse-physician communication, staff responsiveness, and facility cleanliness and quietness.

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Reps. Leigh Davis, Bud Williams Filing Legislation Honoring Freeman

SHEFFIELD, Mass. — State Reps. Leigh Davis of the 3rd Berkshire District and Bud L. Williams, of the 11th Hampden District, are filing legislation establishing Aug. 22 as Elizabeth Freeman Day of Equality, Healing, and Remembrance in the commonwealth.
 
The legislation would direct the governor to annually issue a proclamation recognizing the courageous contributions of Elizabeth Freeman, an enslaved Black woman known as Mum Bett, whose landmark freedom suit helped spark the legal end of slavery in Massachusetts.
 
"Elizabeth Freeman's story began here in the Berkshires, but its impact reached every corner of the commonwealth," said Davis. "More than two centuries later, her legacy continues to inspire us. Establishing Elizabeth Freeman Day will ensure that future generations learn not only about her extraordinary bravery, but also about the power of one person to change the course of history."
 
In 1781, Freeman, of Sheffield at the time, challenged the institution of slavery by filing suit against her enslaver, Col. John Ashley. In the landmark case Brom and Bett v. Ashley, a Berkshire County jury ruled in favor of Freeman and her fellow plaintiff, Brom, granting them their freedom. The case demonstrated the power of the Massachusetts Constitution's declaration that all people are born free and equal and helped pave the way for the Quock Walker decisions that ultimately ended slavery in the commonwealth. 
 
"Freeman's courage changed the course of history in Massachusetts," said Williams. "At a time when the odds were stacked against her, she stood up and demanded that the promises of liberty and equality contained in our Constitution apply to her as well. She risked everything to challenge an unjust system, and her victory helped lay the foundation for the end of slavery in our commonwealth. Her legacy deserves to be recognized and remembered by every resident of Massachusetts."
 
Although unable to read or write, Freeman understood the meaning of freedom and equality and took extraordinary action to secure those rights for herself and others. Her story remains one of the most powerful examples of individual courage in the face of injustice. 
 
Elizabeth Freeman Day will provide an opportunity for reflection, education, healing, and remembrance, said Williams. 
 
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