BHS Hospitals Nationally Recognized For Cardiovascular Care

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — All three of Berkshire Health Systems’ hospitals – Berkshire Medical Center, Fairview Hospital and North Adams Regional Hospital – have received a total of 16 American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines and Mission: Lifeline achievement awards for demonstrating commitment to following up-to-date, research-based guidelines for the treatment of heart disease and stroke, ultimately leading to more lives saved, shorter recovery times and fewer readmissions to the hospital. 

"Achieving 16 recognitions for the exceptional care of cardiac patients shows the enormous commitment that the clinical staff of Berkshire Medical Center, Fairview Hospital and North Adams Regional Hospital have in providing the highest standards of care for our community," said Darlene Rodowicz, Berkshire Health Systems President and CEO.

For 2025, Berkshire Medical Center received a Commitment to Quality Award, signifying a hospital's dedication to high-quality, evidence-based care in areas like stroke, heart failure, and resuscitation, stated a press release. To earn this recognition, hospitals like BMC achieved Silver awards or higher in at least three of the AHA's Get With The Guidelines programs.  

"The many providers and staff at all three BHS hospitals can be proud of this remarkable achievement," said James Lederer, MD, BHS Chief Medical Officer/Chief Quality Officer. "BMC and Fairview have a long history of Get with Guidelines honors, and after being reopened for just over one-year, North Adams Regional Hospital is continuing that trend of excellence."

Heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 5 causes of death in the United States, respectively, according to the American Heart Association 2025 Statistical Update. Studies show patients can recover better when providers consistently follow treatment guidelines. 

Get With The Guidelines and Mission: Lifeline put the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest evidence- and research-based guidelines. As a participant in Mission: Lifeline and Get With The Guidelines programs, Berkshire Health Systems qualified for the awards by demonstrating how the organization has committed to improving quality care.  

This year, BHS received these achievement awards: 

Berkshire Medical Center

  • Commitment to Quality Award 
  • Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) Referring Gold  
  • CAD NSTEMI Bronze 
  • Stroke Gold Plus 
  • Heart Failure Gold Plus, Target: Heart Failure Optimal, Target: Diabetes  
  • Resuscitation Bronze 
  • Resuscitation Target CPR 

Fairview Hospital  

  • CAD STEMI Referring Bronze  
  • Rural CAD STEMI Gold 
  • Rural CAD Non ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) Bronze 
  • Rural Heart Failure Silver 
  • Rural Stroke Bronze 

North Adams Regional Hospital

  • CAD STEMI Referring Bronze  
  • Rural CAD STEMI Silver 
  • Rural CAD NSTE-ACS Bronze 
  • Rural Heart Failure Bronze 

Tags: BHS,   BMC,   

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Pittsfield Police Chief Retiring in January

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

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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