General Surgeon Brett Matthews Joins North Adams Regional Hospital

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) announced the appointment of Brett Matthews, DO, a board certified and fellowship trained surgeon, to the medical staffs of North Adams Regional Hospital (NARH) and Berkshire Medical Center and the provider staff of Berkshire Surgical Services. 
 
Matthews is accepting new patients in need of general surgery and surgical endoscopy services. He serves North and Central Berkshire patients at the Berkshire Surgical offices in Pittsfield and North Adams.   
 
Matthews has been practicing general and minimally invasive surgery for the past eight years and came to the Berkshires from Anna Jaques Hospital in Newburyport. He specializes in: laparoscopic and open hernia repair, laparoscopic foregut surgery, such as hiatal hernia or anti-reflux procedures, minimally invasive surgery on the small bowel, colon, adrenal and spleen surgery, upper and lower endoscopy, enteral and vascular access, mediports, and office excision for abscesses, skin and subcutaneous lesions.   
 
Matthews is not new to the Berkshires, as after receiving his medical degree from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine he completed his general surgery residency training at Berkshire Medical Center. He also completed a surgical residency at the University of Hawaii at Honolulu and a fellowship in upper GI endoscopy, advanced laparoscopy and bariatric surgery at the University of Massachusetts.   
 
"We welcome Dr. Matthews back to the Berkshires, providing minimally invasive care for surgical patients across the region," said Laurie Lamarre, BHS Vice President and NARH Chief Operating Officer. "NARH and BMC are committed to expanding access to specialty care for our community and Dr. Matthews brings a wide array of surgical skills to our hospitals."  
 
"I began my surgical training here in the Berkshires and am honored and excited to return and give back to the community that helped me become the surgeon I am today," he said. 
 
Matthews enjoys spending time outside running, swimming, golfing, skiing and hiking.   
 
For an appointment with Matthews, ask your primary care provider for a referral or call Berkshire Surgical Services at North Adams, 413-664-5411 or Berkshire Surgical Services’ Pittsfield office, 413-447-6420.  

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Clarksburg Students Write in Support of Rural School Aid

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

Mason Langenback calculated that Clarksburg would get almost $1 million if the $60 million was allocated equally.
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Eighth-graders at Clarksburg School took a lesson in civic advocacy this week, researching school funding and writing letters to Beacon Hill that call for fulling funding rural school aid. 
 
The students focused on the hardships for small rural schools and their importance to the community — that they struggle with limited funding and teacher shortages, but offer safe and supportive spaces for learning and are a hub for community connections.
 
"They all address the main issue, the funding for rural schools, and how there's a gap, and there's the $4 million gap this year, and then it's about the $40 million next year, and that rural schools need that equitable funding," said social studies teacher Mark Karhan.
 
A rural schools report in 2022 found smaller school districts cost from nearly 17 percent to 23 percent more to operate, and recommended "at least" $60 million be appropriated annually for rural school aid. 
 
Gov. Maura Healey has filed for more Chapter 70 school aid, but that often is little help to small rural schools with declining or static enrollment. For fiscal 2027, she's budgeted $20 million for rural schools, up from around $13 million this year but still far below the hoped for $60 million. 
 
Karhan said the class was broken into four groups and the students were provided a submission letter from Rural Schools Advocacy. The students used the first paragraph, which laid out the funding facts, and then did research and wrote their own letters. 
 
They will submit those with a school picture to the governor. 
 
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