BMC Earns U.S. News and World Report Best Hospitals Awards

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Medical Center has been named among U.S. News & World Report's 2025-2026 Best Hospitals edition as a High Performing hospital for Pneumonia and Kidney Disease care.

These are the highest distinctions a hospital can earn as part of U.S. News' Best Hospitals Procedures & Conditions ratings. Earlier this year, BMC was also recognized as a US News & World Report Best Hospital for Maternity Care.   

U.S. News' annual Procedures & Conditions ratings are designed to assist patients and their health care providers in making informed decisions about where to receive care for challenging health conditions or elective procedures.

"The providers at Berkshire Medical Center are committed to the highest standards of care, and these recognitions for Kidney Disease and Pneumonia reflect that promise to our community," said James Lederer, MD, Berkshire Health Systems Chief Medical Officer/Chief Quality Officer. "Our patients being treated for Kidney Disease and Pneumonia can be confident they are in the best hands."    

"For more than three decades, U.S. News has been an invaluable guide for patients," said Managing Editor and Chief of Health Analysis Ben Harder at U.S. News. "Hospitals designated as ‘High Performing' by U.S. News demonstrate a consistent ability to provide excellent care for particular medical procedures and conditions, showcasing their specialized expertise as well as dedication to exceptional patient outcomes."  

U.S. News evaluated more than 4,400 hospitals across 15 adult specialties and 22 procedures and conditions; only one third of them earned an award. To determine the Best Hospitals, U.S. News analyzed each hospital's performance based on objective measures such as risk-adjusted mortality rates, preventable complications and level of nursing care. The Best Hospitals Specialty rankings methodology and Procedures & Conditions ratings methodology measure patient outcomes using data from over 800 million records of patient care.   

Dalton Fire District Voters OK 'Surprise' Building Purchase

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:25AM / Wednesday, May 13, 2026

An image of 30-32 Flansburgh from the town's assessor data. 

DALTON, Mass. — For several years, the district has been working with limited space, and a vote at the annual meeting is expected to help ease those constraints.

 

During the meeting on Tuesday at the Stationary Factory, 48 voters approved 24 of the 25 articles on the warrant, including the purchase of 30-32 Flansburgh Ave., directly next to the current station. 

 

If the property passes the home inspection, the district would purchase the multi-family home from its current owner Richard Olsted for $350,000. 

 

The property is a two-family duplex built in 1920 with more than 6,000 square feet on a fifth of an acre. Its assessed value according to information in the town's database is $305,200. It's estimated on Zillow at $312,500, with a potential high of $350,000.

 

As part of the agreement for the purchase cost, the district agreed to allow Olsted to reside in one of the building's units for as long as he chooses, with the understanding that he will be responsible for utilities and will not be required to pay rent.

 

The foreseeable purpose of the other units will be to create proper housing for emergency services personnel. 

 

The department currently has three makeshift bedrooms in the fire station that were described as not well suited for a regular ambulance service.