BMC Recognized For Hip Fracture Clinical Achievements from Healthgrades

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) has announced that Berkshire Medical Center (BMC), in partnership with Berkshire Orthopaedic Associates, has achieved a 5-Star Rating for clinical excellence from Healthgrades, the No. 1 site Americans use when searching for a doctor or hospital.

BMC was rated 5-stars for Hip Fracture Treatment for 2025. 

"The outstanding orthopaedic team at Berkshire Medical Center, working hand in hand with our exceptional Berkshire Orthopaedic Associates partners provide the highest standard of care for our hip fracture patients," said James Lederer, MD, BHS Chief Medical Officer/Chief Quality Officer. "BMC's hip fracture outcomes and this 5-star recognition validate that commitment to returning our patients as quickly as possible to their active lifestyles."

As part of its 2025 hospital assessment, Healthgrades evaluated risk-adjusted mortality and complication rates for over 30 of the most common conditions and procedures at approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide to determine the top performers in specialty care. By offering easy access to objective performance measures, Healthgrades helps consumers find and select a hospital that excels in providing the care they need.

Healthgrades helps consumers identify high quality hospitals by rating those that consistently deliver better-than-expected outcomes in specialty care. These ratings enable informed decisions that can help patients have better care experiences and outcomes. With the growing disparity between top performers and one-star hospitals, considering hospital quality is a vital part of selecting where to turn for care. In fact, from 2022 to 2024, if all hospitals had performed at the five-star level:

• 230,466 lives could potentially have been saved
• 183,475 complications could potentially have been avoided

Statistics are based on Healthgrades analysis of MedPAR data for years 2022 through 2024 and represent three-year estimates for Medicare patients only. Click here to view the complete 2025 Specialty Awards and Ratings Methodology.

"Healthgrades commends Berkshire Medical Center and its orthopaedic specialists for their clear commitment to delivering consistently superior patient outcomes in critical service areas, including this 5-Star rating for Hip Fracture Treatment," said Dr. Brad Bowman, chief medical officer and head of data science at Healthgrades. BMC's leadership, expertise, and unwavering dedication to clinical excellence set a high mark for specialty care in Massachusetts and nationwide."

Consumers can visit healthgrades.com to learn more.

New Camp Is Safe Place for Children Suffering Loss to Addiction

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:26AM / Saturday, December 27, 2025

Last year's Happy Campers courtesy of Max Tabakin.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new camp is offering a safe place for children who have lost a parent or guardian to addiction. 

 

Director Gayle Saks founded the nonprofit "Camp Happy Place" last year. The first camp was held in June with 14 children.

 

Saks is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor who works at the Brien Center. One of her final projects when studying was how to involve youth, and a camp came to mind. Camp had been her "happy place" growing up, and it became her dream to open her own.

 

"I keep a bucket list in my wallet, and it's right on here on this list, and I cross off things that I've accomplished," she said. "But it is the one thing on here that I knew I had to do."

 

The overnight co-ed camp is held at a summer camp in Winsted, Conn., where Saks spent her summers as a child. It is four nights and five days and completely free. Transportation is included as are many of the items needed for camping. The camp takes up to 30 children.

 

"I really don't think there's any place that exists specifically for this population. I think it's important to know, we've said this, but that it is not a therapeutic camp," Saks said.

 

She said the focus is on fun for the children, though they are able to talk to any of the volunteer and trained staff. The staff all have experience in social work, addiction and counseling, and working with children.