BMC Resident Programs Celebrate with Graduation

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Health Systems has announced that the Berkshire Medical Center Residency Programs have graduated 27 providers across its three residencies. 
 
BMC has residency programs in Internal Medicine, Surgery, Psychiatry and Osteopathic Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine.  As a community teaching hospital, BMC's residency programs play a role in ensuring access to care for all patients, enhancing the quality of services, and advancing the mission of education and excellence in medicine, stated a press release. 
  
"As we mark the graduation of our residents, we reflect with pride and gratitude on their invaluable contributions to our hospital and our community," said Liana Fraenkel, MD, Director of Medical Education at BMC. "Throughout their training, they have not only provided high-quality, compassionate care to our patients, but have also brought fresh perspectives, energy, and innovation to our clinical teams. We thank our graduating residents for their dedication, and we celebrate their achievements as they embark on the next chapter of their careers."  
 
In the Internal Medicine Residency led by Program Director Steven Lamontagne, MD, 13 physicians completed three years of training at BMC, while five others completed their first year of training and are moving on to advanced specialty training. Of the overall group, three residents – Drs. Avantika Bhargava, Aashar Raza and Razhan Madhar – will remain in the Berkshires and will serve in the BMC Hospitalist Medicine Department. Two others, Drs. Sheetal Manerkar and Rohan Saranu will stay on for the 2025/2026 academic year as Chief Residents and Hospitalists.   
 
The Surgery Residency, led by Program Director Michael Disiena, DO, has graduated two providers who completed five years of training.   
 
In Psychiatry, led by Program Director Brenda Butler, MD, four providers completed four years of training, and three others graduated early to pursue fellowships in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.  Dr. Erik Adler will stay at BMC working in the Behavioral Health Unit.  
 
As a teaching hospital, Berkshire Medical Center has provided Residents training for more than fifty years. BMC is affiliated with The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, The University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, and Boston University.  
 
For more information on the BMC residency programs, visit www.berkshirehealthsystems.org/medical-education-residency-programs/

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Wahconah Park Grandstand Leveled, Close to Shovel-Ready

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Wahconah Park is expected to be shovel-ready next month, with just a couple of outstanding permits remaining. 

The 75-plus-year-old grandstand was deemed unsafe in 2022 and demolished at the end of the summer. Now, the space where the large structure stood has been leveled, though some accessory buildings, such as the dugouts, remain. 

Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Manager James McGrath reported that the site, which "looks a lot different," will be shovel-ready in mid-November.  From there, the city needs to do financial planning and sourcing. 

"Again, I sound like a broken record, but it becomes a matter of identifying the funding strategy that will advance the project," McGrath told the Parks Commission on Tuesday. 

In the meantime, the city hopes to return baseball to the site in 2027. 

Planners determined that starting from square one is the best option with the grandstand; a $15 million design was last on the table. 

McGrath reported that all but two permits approved through the Community Development Board and Zoning Board of Appeals remain. One relates to the use because stadiums are not zoned by-right in that area; Wahconah Park is considered "non-conforming" or "pre-existing," and a parking spot waiver. 

He does not foresee the boards denying these permits. 

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