Former Dempsey Pediatrics Joins BHS Umbrella

02:00PM / Tuesday, April 09, 2024Print Story | Email Story

Dr. Gicewicz received his medical degree from Tulane University, New Orleans, and completed his residency at Albany Medical Center.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) announced that the former Dempsey Pediatrics provider practice has joined BHS, furthering the legacy of care provided by Dr. Brian Dempsey.

"We are pleased to continue the dedicated care services that Dempsey Pediatrics has provided for decades through Berkshire Health Pediatrics," said James Lederer, MD, BHS Chief Medical Officer and Chief Quality Officer. "The landscape for primary care and pediatrics has changed dramatically over the last decade, making it increasingly harder for offices to continue as stand-alone practices. By joining with Berkshire Health Systems, Dempsey Pediatrics can continue to care for the region's children and families and can expand the practice to meet their needs now and well into the future."

Effective Tuesday, April 2, 2024, Dempsey Pediatrics became Berkshire Health Pediatrics, retaining the majority of the office staff and clinical care team and welcoming Dr. Adam Gicewicz to the team of caregivers.

"BHS is very pleased to welcome the Dempsey Pediatrics team to our provider practice organization," said Darlene Rodowicz, BHS President and CEO. "The service and support that thousands of families have come to expect from Dempsey Pediatrics will continue through the team at Berkshire Health Pediatrics. "

Gicewicz has been serving with MACONY Pediatrics in recent months and is moving to Berkshire Health Pediatrics. Dr. Gicewicz received his medical degree from Tulane University, New Orleans, and completed his residency at Albany Medical Center. Dr. Dempsey will remain at the practice during the transition period.

The office remains at 758 East St. in Pittsfield and will have expanded hours, open Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 5 pm. After-hours access will be provided through an on-call provider. Berkshire Health Pediatrics will also use the Berkshire Patient Portal, ensuring secure, accurate and integrated patient information with other BHS services, which helps providers to have a comprehensive view of each patient's care.

Added care options will include in-office vaccination for patients over the age of 18, community health workers helping connect patients and families to community partners and resources to support overall well-being, and direct access to the expansive BHS network of clinical services.

Berkshire Health Pediatrics can be reached at the same phone number that was used by Dempsey Pediatrics – 413-448-8212.

Tags: BHS, BMC,

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Pittsfield Schools Schedule Morningside, Budget Hearings This Week

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:23AM / Monday, April 06, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The School Committee will hold another public hearing for the potential closure of Morningside Community School.

On Thursday, April 9, at 6 p.m., community members will have the chance to give feedback in the Reid Middle School library. Last month, the Pittsfield Public Schools announced the possible closure of Morningside, which serves elementary grades, for the 2026-2027 school year and redistribution of its students to other city schools.

In the last couple of weeks, the district has solicited input from employees and community members through meetings at the school.

Morningside Community School was built in the mid-1970s with an open classroom concept. Morningside serves about 374 students and has a 7 percent accountability score, outperformed by 93 percent of the state.

For fiscal year 2027, the district has allocated about $5.2 million for the school. The committee has also requested a version of the proposed $87.2 million district budget with Morningside closed.

Pittsfield has another open concept school, Conte Community School, that is planned to consolidate with Crosby Elementary School, and possibly Stearns Elementary School, in a new building on the Crosby site by 2030. The status of the project's owner's project manager will be discussed on Tuesday, April 7, at 5 p.m. at Taconic High School during the School Building Needs Commission meeting.

That leaves the school officials wondering if Morningside students could have better educational outcomes if resources followed them to other nearby schools. Interim Superintendent Latifah Phillips has stressed that a decision has not yet been made.

Considerations for the school’s closure include: The feasibility of the facility to provide a conducive teaching and learning environment with an open campus design, the funding allocation needed to ensure Morningside students can have equitable learning opportunities, and declining enrollment across Pittsfield elementary schools.