BMC Recognized for Hip Fracture Clinical Achievements from Healthgrades

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Health Systems has announced that Berkshire Medical Center (BMC), in partnership with Berkshire Orthopaedic Associates, has achieved a 5-Star Rating for clinical excellence from Healthgrades.

BMC was rated 5-stars for Hip Fracture Treatment for 2025.

"The outstanding orthopaedic team at Berkshire Medical Center, working hand in hand with our exceptional Berkshire Orthopaedic Associates partners provide the highest standard of care for our hip fracture patients," said James Lederer, MD, BHS Chief Medical Officer/Chief Quality Officer. "BMC’s hip fracture outcomes and this 5-star recognition validate a commitment to returning our patients as quickly as possible to their active lifestyles."

As part of its 2025 hospital assessment, Healthgrades evaluated risk-adjusted mortality and complication rates for over 30 of the most common conditions and procedures at approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide to determine the top performers in specialty care. By offering easy access to objective performance measures, Healthgrades helps consumers find and select a hospital that excels in providing the care they need.

"Healthgrades commends Berkshire Medical Center and its orthopaedic specialists for their clear commitment to delivering consistently superior patient outcomes in critical service areas, including this 5-Star rating for Hip Fracture Treatment," said Brad Bowman, MD, chief medical officer and head of data science at Healthgrades. BMC’s leadership, expertise, and unwavering dedication to clinical excellence set a high mark for specialty care in Massachusetts and nationwide."

Consumers can visit healthgrades.com to learn more about how Healthgrades measures hospital quality and access a patient-friendly overview of how we rate and why hospital quality matters here.

Pittsfield Affordable Housing Initiatives Shine Light, Hope

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
07:08AM / Saturday, December 20, 2025

Housing Secretary Edward Augustus cuts the ribbon at The First on Thursday with housing officials and Mayor Peter Marchetti, state Sen. Paul Mark and state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The holidays are here and several community members are celebrating it with the opening of two affordable housing initiatives. 

 

"This is a day to celebrate," Hearthway CEO Eileen Peltier said during the ribbon-cutting on Thursday. 

 

The celebration was for nearly 40 supportive permanent housing units; nine at "The First" located within the Zion Lutheran Church, and 28 on West Housatonic Street. A ceremony was held in the new Housing Resource Center on First Street, which was funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. 

 

The apartments will be leased out by Hearthway, with ServiceNet as a partner. 

 

Prior to the ribbon-cutting, public officials and community resource personnel were able to tour the two new permanent supported housing projects — West Housatonic Apartments and The First Street Apartments and Housing Resource Center. 

 

The First Street location has nine studio apartments that are about 300 square feet and has a large community center. The West Housatonic Street location will have 28 studio units that range between 300 to 350 square feet. All units can be adapted to be ADA accessible. 

 

The West Housatonic location is still under construction with the hope to have it completed by the middle of January, said Chris Wilett, Hearthway development associate.