CHP Names Associate Director of Dental Medicine

08:23AM / Saturday, November 02, 2024Print Story | Email Story

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Dr. Lina Bermudez has been named associate director of dental medicine at CHP Berkshires.

She joined CHP Great Barrington Family Dental in 2013, and in her new role will work with CHP leadership to support CHP's dental practices and staff in North Adams, Adams, Pittsfield and Great Barrington.

Her appointment follows completion of a countywide expansion of CHP's dental services, intended to expand oral healthcare access to thousands of Berkshire residents, especially those who rely on MassHealth for their insurance coverage. The Great Barrington Family Dental Center has recently reopened after a two-year development project.

"Dr. Bermudez has been a role model in both caring for dental patients at CHP, and in her commitment to expanding access to dental care throughout the Berkshires," said Dr. Andrew Beckwith, chief medical officer at CHP Berkshires. "We look forward to Dr. Bermudez's new role in bringing broader leadership of our CHP dental team."

A native of Colombia, Bermudez is a general dentistry graduate of the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. Prior to her work at CHP, she worked as a dentist for Hillcrest Educational Centers.

In addition to her new leadership responsibilities, Dr. Bermudez will continue to see patients at Great Barrington Family Dental.

"I am very excited to join and contribute to this team dedicated to the CHP mission, and I look forward to bringing my experience to achieve meaningful impact," said Bermudez. "It is always my honor to be on a team that's making a difference to the health of our Berkshire community."

Community Health Programs, Inc. (CHP Berkshires) is a healthcare network based in the Berkshires of Western Mass. serving approximately 30,000 regional residents with whole-person, comprehensive medical and dental services at multiple practice locations. CHP Family Services supports families with parent education, WIC and other services. CHP accepts most forms of private and public health insurance, including MassHealth, and offers sliding fee scales for qualifying patients. CHP is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Chpberkshires.org

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Elevated Mercury Level Found in Center Pond Fish

11:41AM / Friday, December 19, 2025

BECKET, Mass. — The state Department of Public Health has issued an advisory after a mercury-contaminated fish was found in Center Pond.

According to a letter sent to the local Board of Health from the Division of Environmental Toxicology, Hazard Assessment and Prevention, elevated levels of mercury were measured in the sample taken from the pond.

The concentration in the fish exceeded DPH's action level of 0.5 milligrams per kilogram, or parts per million.

"This indicates that daily consumption of fish from the waterbody may pose a health concern. Therefore, DPH has issued a FCA for Center Pond recommending that sensitive populations should not eat chain pickerel and all other people should limit consumption of chain pickerel to 2 meals/month," the letter states.

The letter specifically points to chain pickerel, but the 60-acre pond also has largemouth and smallmouth bass and yellow perch.

The "sensitive populations" include children younger than 12, those who are nursing, pregnant, or who may become pregnant.

The Toxicology Division recommends reducing intake of "large, predatory fish" or fish that feed on the bottoms of waterbodies, such as largemouth bass and carp. More information on safely eating fish can be found here.

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