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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Former Harry's Supermarket Under Construction for Restaurant

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Construction is underway to transform the former Harry's Supermarket into a restaurant

Late last month, the Conservation Commission greenlit some tree pruning on the property. New windows and a new door can be seen in the front of the building. 

"It's a substantial renovation that's currently underway here," Brent White of White Engineering said, speaking on behalf of the applicant and owner, Huajie Zhu. 

A fire gutted the longtime Wahconah Street supermarket in 2023, and the following year, Zhu purchased the property for $460,000 two years ago to build a restaurant with hibachi in the existing footprint of the more than 100-year-old building. 

White explained that the project has been ongoing for over a year, and the Community Development Board granted the property a waiver to reduce the minimum required number of parking spaces so that additional spaces aren't needed.  

He noted that, looking at the site plan, there is very little room to do so. A mirror will be installed near the sharp turn on Bel Air Avenue to alleviate traffic concerns. 

Pruning will be done on trees in the southeast corner of the existing paved parking lot, as a number of branches are hanging over. The new owners also intend to patch, sealcoat, and re-stripe the parking lot. 

A fire tore through the building less than an hour after the supermarket closed for the day three years ago. An automatic sprinkler system is required for the new use. 

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