BHS in the Community

Every year, Berkshire Health Systems and its employees contribute to the health and well-being of our community, often through efforts that take place out of the public view, but nevertheless have a significant impact on the entire community. A core part of the BHS mission is to provide the highest quality healthcare services available, while also investing in the community. Some examples of that investment are:

Berkshire Wireless Learning Initiative - BHS donated $100,000 to the BWLI program in 2006, which allowed the initiative to complete the purchase of 2,300 laptop computers for students in middle schools in Pittsfield and North Adams ahead of the original schedule. According to North Adams Mayor John Barrett, "BHS is a non-profit that realizes the importance of education."

Allied Health Education Partnership - Berkshire Healthcare Systems (BHCS), the long-term care associate of BHS, launched the Allied Health Education Partnership in collaboration with the Pittsfield Public Schools with a $225,000 multi-year investment. As a result, high school students in the Allied Health program will graduate with certification as nursing assistants and with the ability to immediately begin work in area long term care facilities.

Career Advancement Opportunities - BHS has invested over $360,000 each year in its employees who want to improve their careers, through a program that pays tuition and fees for BHS employees who want to attain a degree in nursing, radiologic technology or laboratory technology. In addition, BHS has provided nurses with advanced degrees to Berkshire Community College as adjunct instructors in the college's Registered Nurse training program.

Partners in Education Program - BHS has teamed up with Conte Community School and Reid Middle School, providing support to both schools in numerous areas as part of a Partners in Education program.

Conte Connected for Success Program - BHS has donated $25,000 to Conte Community School for its Connected for Success initiative, an after school program providing academic and enrichment activities for students in grades 1 through 5.

Wellness at Work - A comprehensive initiative for all BHS employees designed to improve the health and well-being of the largest workforce in the Berkshires.

Walk with Me in the Berkshires - A community walking program that runs each spring, promoting walking as a good form of exercise. Over 2,000 people participated in the 2006 effort.

Community Outreach Programs - BHS provides several outreach efforts that make a significant difference for area residents, including:

Advocacy for Access - Community program that connects the uninsured and underinsured with access to health insurance programs, including the new state health programs. In 2006, over 6,000 people were enrolled for insurance in the county through this effort, and the numbers for 2007 are even larger.
Women, Infants and Children Program - Berkshire North WIC serves over 2,200 mothers and children in the Berkshires.
Smoking Cessation - The BHS Tobacco Treatment Program has helped over 600 people to stop smoking.
Project HEROA - A community based program that has helped to provide free pap smears and free mammograms to women throughout the community who are uninsured or underinsured.
Accent on Health - Provides over 1,500 health assessments with cholesterol and blood pressure screenings each year.
Healthy Communities Access Program - In collaboration with Community Health Program, this federally funded effort provides access to public health insurance and basic health services for uninsured and underinsured people.

These are just a few examples of the many community programs that BHS provides directly or supports in the community. Each year, BHS publishes a Community Benefit Report, which you can read in its entirety by clicking here.