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

02:00PM / Thursday, October 02, 2025Print Story | Email Story

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.

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Pittsfield Police Chief Retiring in January

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:28PM / Monday, December 22, 2025

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Police Chief Thomas Dawley will retire next month after 24 years with the Pittsfield Police Department, and the mayor will appoint his successor.

Dawley's last day will be on Jan. 9, and he told iBerkshires that it was "just time." He began his law enforcement career in 1995 at the Berkshire County House of Corrections and was appointed police chief in June 2024.

"Reasons for leaving are cumulative. I have been in law enforcement for almost 30 years. There is no particular reason for my retirement, I just feel that it is time," he wrote in an email.

"I love the profession and love this department. The duties, responsibilities and obligations as a Chief are very demanding. It is a lifestyle, not a job. It is a 24/7–365 days a year responsibility."

According to The Berkshire Eagle, Dawley told Mayor Peter Marchetti of his intention to retire back in April but had kept the decision quiet. Marchetti is expected to choose his successor in the next couple of weeks.

Dawley, 52, was "honored and humbled" when he was chosen two years ago to succeed Michael Wynn, he said, and he misses being an officer out in the community, as the role of chief is more administrative by nature. He described the officers and civilian staff at the department as "the best of the best" and is proud of the "second to none" dedication, professionalism, and commitment they bring to work every day.

"Policing is different than it was 10-20 years ago and the profession is being tested daily," he noted.

"I want a new challenge and preferably something that does not involve law enforcement, but I am definitely not ruling it out!"

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