Donald C. McGraw Foundation Makes $1M Leadership Gift to Fairview Hospital

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L-R: Fairview Chief of Staff and Medical Director Alec Belman, MD; Fairview Medical Director, Emergency Medicine Joshua Pacheco, MD; Fairview Chief Operating Officer Anthony Scibelli; Elizabeth, (Buzz) McGraw; Robert L.W. (Robin) McGraw; BHS President & CEO Darlene Rodowicz; BHS Development Committee Chair Kate McCormick; Fairview Chief of Surgery Mark Taylor II, MD (Provided Photo)
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — On Monday, Nov. 3, Elizabeth "Buzz" and Robert L. W. McGraw "Robin" presented Fairview Hospital with a $1 million leadership donation from The Donald C. McGraw Foundation, Inc. in support of a campus revitalization plan that includes construction of a new 44,000 square-foot outpatient building adjacent to the current hospital.
 
This gift continues the decades-long partnership with The Donald C. McGraw Foundation in support of Fairview Hospital.
 
"Berkshire Health Systems and Fairview Hospital are deeply grateful to Robin and Buzz and The Donald C. McGraw Foundation for their extraordinary leadership gift to support this vital capital investment towards our beloved critical access hospital," said Darlene Rodowicz, Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) President & CEO.
 
According to a press release, Philanthropic support from individuals, corporations, and foundations is essential to realizing the Fairview campus revitalization plan. As a major donor to Fairview Hospital for over 20 years and a member of the BHS Development Committee, McGraw is playing a pivotal role in leading the fundraising effort for this project.
 
"Robin's leadership as both a donor and volunteer illustrate the power of community members having a voice and a stake in shaping the future of their community hospital," said Tony Scibelli, BHS vice president and chief operating officer of Fairview Hospital. "I am honored to work alongside Robin on this transformative project and to celebrate The Donald C. McGraw Foundation's enduring commitment to ensuring exceptional healthcare closer to home."
 
A federally designated Critical Access Hospital, Fairview Hospital serves the Southern Berkshire region, and modernizing the campus has been a long-term priority. Earlier this year, the BHS Board of Trustees approved plans for the outpatient building designed with flexible clinical spaces that reflect today's standards of care and anticipate the needs of future patients.
 
The new facility will include expanded surgical and imaging suites, a state-of-the-art MRI, and a larger, modern emergency department. The building is slated for completion by the end of 2028. Once open, the hospital's existing medical/surgical inpatient unit will be renovated into private, updated patient rooms. These enhancements will expand capacity for advanced treatment and technology, ensuring that Fairview Hospital continues to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the community it serves.

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Lt. Governor Driscoll Visits Great Barrington Businesses

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, Housing Secretary Ed Augustus and state Rep. Leigh Davis are ready to chop wood out back of Pleasant and Main. 

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll did some holiday shopping on Main Street last week after announcing millions of federal Community Development Block Grant funds

She was glad to see an array of small-business owners thriving, and the eclectic items that Great Barrington has to offer. 

"We know that the vibrancy of communities can often be defined by what's happening on Main Street," she said. 

"It's great to be here in Great Barrington and see so many independent entrepreneurs who are running really, not only fun, but businesses that are doing well, and we want to try and find ways to uplift and support that work moving forward." 

State Rep. Leigh Davis coordinated a business tour with Pleasant and Main Cafe and General Store, Robbie's Community Market, and Butternut Ski Mountain. While downtown, Driscoll also stopped at Robin's Candy and Rob's Records and Audio. 

Earlier that day, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced $33.5 million in federal CDBG funds at the Housatonic Community Center. Great Barrington, in conjunction with Egremont and Stockbridge, has been allocated $ 1.25 million to rehabilitate approximately 14 housing units.  A new Rural and Small Town Housing Choice Community designation for its Housing Choice Initiative was also launched. 

Davis emphasized the significance of the state announcing these dollars in the small village of Housatonic.  

Craig Bero, founder of Pleasant and Main, prepared desserts and hors d'oeuvres for the group at his cozy cafe across the street from the Housatonic Community Center. Bero opened more than a decade ago after migrating from New York City, and Pleasant and Main offers sustainable, organic meals for an affordable price while enjoying the museum of antiques that is the restaurant. 

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