Larry Pellish, MD

"Everyone over the age of 50 should have a colonoscopy."

Although he is a Berkshire Medical Center veteran, Dr. Pellish's philosophy on patient care has remained the same through the years. “I don't think my approach has changed significantly,” he said. “People talk about the hassles of the system; the need to spend less time per patient to be productive. But I don't see that as necessary or desirable.

“I think it's important to listen to your patients,” he continues. “I give them ample opportunity to express themselves and then I address their concerns. As doctors, we need to communicate effectively; to tell our patients what we think is going on, and then what they can do to help themselves.”

Initially trained in internal medicine, Dr. Pellish today focuses almost entirely on the expertise he gained in earning a second board certification in gastroenterology. He and the three other physicians at Central Berkshire Gastroenterology see the full gamut of digestive system disorders, including ulcers, cirrhosis, hepatitis C, colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome, among others. Other significant work concerns cancer screenings, with Dr. Pellish spending nearly half his time performing colonoscopies. In that regard he is quick to advise, “Everyone over the age of fifty should have a colonoscopy, or even earlier, depending on family history or special circumstances.” 

A native of Albany, Dr. Pellish explains, highest technology that we can, apply it appropriately to each patient, and do it in an environment that is very human."  A graduate of  New York University School of Medicine, he did his residency in internal medicine at the University Hospital of Cleveland and served his fellowship in gastroenterology at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston. He began his practice here in 1977.

For many years, Dr. Pellish has served on the board of the Counseling Center in the Berkshires, at present as its chairman. He and his wife reside in Pittsfield. They have two grown children (his son is also a gastroenterologist) and two grandchildren. For pleasure he reports putting to work his muscles and bones playing tennis and his intellect with sudoku.