BMC Earns 'A' Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Medical Center earned a new "A" Hospital Safety Grade for the fall of 2025 from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit watchdog focused on patient safety.

Leapfrog assigns an "A," "B," "C," "D" or "F" grade to general hospitals across the country based on over 30 measures of errors, accidents, injuries and infections as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them. BMC also received an "A" Hospital Safety Grade earlier this year for the spring period.  

"The care and safety of our patients is paramount at Berkshire Medical Center," said Tejas Ghandi, BMC chief operating officer. "This new 'A' Hospital Safety Grade reflects the ongoing commitment of our providers and staff to strive for nothing but excellence in serving our Berkshire community." 

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade stands as the only hospital ratings program focused solely on preventable medical errors, infections and injuries that kill more than 500 patients a day in the United States. This program is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring. 

"Achieving an 'A' Hospital Safety Grade reflects enormous dedication to patient safety," said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. "I extend my congratulations to Berkshire Medical Center, its leadership, clinicians, staff and volunteers for creating a culture where patients come first."

To explore Berkshire Medical Center's full grade details and to find tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org. Connect with The Leapfrog Group on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram and stay informed through The Leapfrog Group newsletter.  

Third No Kings Rally Adds War in Iran to List of Grievances

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
06:24PM / Saturday, March 28, 2026

 

State Sen. Paul Mark was at four rallies on Saturday. He and state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, both seen here in Pittsfield, said what they heard today will inspire them on Beacon Hill. . 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Even the frigid wind couldn't silence the voices of thousands of protestors across the county.  

 

In Pittsfield, more than 1,000 people were at the Common, wearing custom T-shirts, and costumes ranging from the Statue of Liberty to inflatable animals, or just holding signs condemning the President Donald Trump and his administration. 

 

This third "No Kings" rally, following on the protests last June and October, saw hundreds of thousands of Americans and others across the world take to the streets and the parks to oppose a growing list of actions made by the administration. 

 

This time, signs protesting the war against Iran joined others focusing on constitutional rights like voting and free speech, democracy, and protecting marginalized groups.

 

Activists, musicians, and some public officials attended the protest, including state Sen. Paul Mark and state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier in Pittsfield; state Rep. John Barrett III was in North Adams. None of the legislators spoke at the rallies. 

 

Farley-Bouvier said the people of Pittsfield were at the rally in resistance and joy — standing up together to say, "enough is enough."

 

Some days the role of a state representative is hard and days like this inspire and rejuvenate the drive to go back out there and fight another day, she said.