Elder Services Hires New Community Services Director

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Elder Services of Berkshire County, Inc. (Elder Services) announced the recent hiring of Kayla Brown-Wood as the Agency's Community Services Director.
 
In her new role, Kayla will be responsible for Elder Services' federal programs. These include the Home and Community Based Programs (Information and Referral, Volunteers, Options Counseling and Family Caregivers) as well as the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program, Planning and Development and the Nutrition and Food Service departments. 
 
She will also oversee the Agency's outreach activities and marketing efforts.    
 
Kayla, who resides in Adams, worked at BFAIR for the past eight years, most recently as the Director of Day Services with responsibility for the community based day habilitation and employment programs funded by the Department of Developmental Services, Mass Rehab Commission and MassHealth.
 
She earned a Bachelor's Degree from Fitchburg State University and is currently pursuing an MBA in healthcare administration from Franklin Pierce University.
 
Elder Services Executive Director Christopher McLaughlin commented, "We are very pleased that Kayla has joined our team. We believe her leadership qualities, experience and passion for community-based services will serve her well in her new role and look forward to her making significant contributions at our Agency."
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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
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