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From left, Anthony Scibelli, BHS Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Fairview Hospital; Darlene Rodowicz, President & CEO, Berkshire Health Systems; Barbara Alibozek; Eugene Dellea, BHS Vice President of Government Relations; and Barton Raser, Chair, BHS Board of Trustees

Fairview Hospital Receives $1M Donation for Laboratory Renovation

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass — Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) has announced it has received a donation of $1 million to support the relocation and renovation of the Fairview Hospital Clinical Laboratory in order to better serve inpatient, outpatient and Emergency Department needs. 
 
The new Laboratory will be named in honor of Eugene A. Dellea, former President of Fairview Hospital, who has dedicated his career to serving the Berkshire community. Dellea is currently Vice President of Government Relations for Berkshire Health Systems.
 
"We are extremely grateful to our anonymous donors for this incredibly generous gift in Gene Dellea’s honor," said Darlene Rodowicz, Berkshire Health Systems President & CEO. "This donation will directly improve the services our patients receive, matching Gene’s selfless commitment to helping all in our community to achieve better health and well-being."
 
This significant donation will support the new laboratory with an upgraded electrical infrastructure and air filtration systems that will best support new diagnostic technology and equipment. The hospital processes nearly 140,000 tests each year. A more central location on the main floor of the hospital will be more convenient for patients and allow the staff to process testing more quickly and efficiently. 
 
"Life saving decisions depend upon accurate lab testing and fast results," said Tony Scibelli, system vice president and chief operating officer of Fairview Hospital. "This incredible gift will improve the quality of care for the more than 27,000 people who rely on the Fairview Hospital laboratory each year."
 
Dellea joined the former Hillcrest Hospital in September 1955, where he quickly became the Chief Medical Technologist. During his early years at Hillcrest, Dellea was instrumental in building a new state-of-the-art laboratory. In addition to his work at Hillcrest, he was known for his commitment to preventative healthcare, organizing many community health screenings for diabetes and providing other lab services.
 
"This donation provides us with the opportunity to recognize Gene’s long and distinguished career in healthcare, by dedicating the new Fairview laboratory in his name," said Rodowicz.

Tags: BHS,   Fairview Hospital,   

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BRIDGE Hosts Earth Day 2026 Activities

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Multicultural BRIDGE will host its Earth Day 2026 celebration on Wednesday, April 22, at Solidarity House, marking both the opening of the growing season and the next phase of its Solidarity Farm & Garden at April Hill.
 
This year's gathering brings together state leaders, regional partners, and community members to advance a shared vision for environmental justice, food sovereignty, and climate resilience in the Berkshires.
 
Gwendolyn VanSant, CEO and founding director of BRIDGE, will moderate the panel with Lina Maria Polo Caijao. Panelists include Betsy Harper, chief of the Environmental Protection Division in the Attorney General's Office; 
Elizabeth Cardona, community engagement manager for the state Department of Environmental Protection; and Charles Redd, DEI officer with Berkshire Health Systems.
 
After five years of growing at the Great Barrington Fairgrounds, BRIDGE's Solidarity Farm has supported the development of a strong cohort of community growers. As part of this next phase, several Solidarity growers are now ready to expand beyond community plots into more independent, production-oriented farming.
 
The April Hill site in South Egremont represents the next evolution of this work, building on the World Farmers' Flats Mentor Farm model in Lancaster and adapting it for the Berkshire context of BIPOC emerging farmers. Partnering with Greenagers in a values-aligned effort across constituencies, trainings and agricultural resources.
 
This expansion includes new grower plots supporting transition to independent farming; expanded mutual aid and community distribution capacity; culturally specific crop cultivation; integration of climate-resilient agricultural practices, and youth engagement 
 
April Hill serves as a partner hub in the first year with expanded plots to meet urgent food security needs, supporting growers as they evolve our community-based growing model toward long-term land access, increased food sovereignty and economic sustainability.
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