BHS Named WWCMA WorkWell Massachusetts Awards Honorable Mention

PITTSFIELD, Mass. – Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) was named a 2025 WorkWell Massachusetts Awards program Honorable Mention recipient in the large group category for exemplary worksite health promotion by the Worksite Wellness Council of MA (WWCMA), powered by Healthiest Employers.

This award recognizes BHS's achievements in providing best-in-class programs and supporting employees through a culture of well-being, stated a press release.

"This statewide recognition of our Wellness at Work team is well deserved," said Darlene Rodowicz, BHS President & CEO. "These exceptional health professionals tailor wellness strategies, including assessments, high-risk focus, robust risk reduction, on-site/virtual options, and rigorous evaluation, serving many businesses in the region and our own BHS employees."

Berkshire Health Systems Wellness at Work program prioritizes health and quality of life. Beyond mere medical treatment, it addresses total costs—absences, disabilities, compensation, productivity, and organizational impact, continued a press release.

"Due to the collective efforts and remarkable dedication of the wellness community, the competition for this year's awards was exceptionally fierce," says Barb Petersen, WWCMA Board Director and Co-Chair of the Awards & Recognition Committee. "The innovative approaches and high standards set by organizations across Massachusetts made this year's selection process particularly challenging, underscoring the significant progress we're making in advancing workplace wellness."

WorkWell Massachusetts Awards is a corporate award program created by WWCMA, a not-for-profit member organization dedicated to the advancement of worksite wellness programs. WWCMA is partnering with Healthiest Employers, in recognizing people-first organizations who a proactive approach to employee health.

"This year's awards were especially exciting with a notable increase in first-time applicants and winners," says Archana Kansagra, WWCMA Board Director, Co-Chair of the Awards & Recognition Committee, and founder of the WorkWell MA Awards program. "It's inspiring to see so many new organizations stepping up and showcasing their commitment to workplace wellness. Their fresh perspectives and innovative programs have inspired meaningful change within their organizations and we're looking forward to giving them a platform to share their best practices."

WorkWell Massachusetts Awards is a corporate award program created by WWCMA, a not-for-profit member organization dedicated to the advancement of worksite wellness programs. WWCMA is partnering with Healthiest Employers, in recognizing people-first organizations who a proactive approach to employee health.

Pittsfield Council Says 'Yes' to Soccer at Crane Park

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
06:35AM / Saturday, June 13, 2026

The pitch will have the logos of the city and the US. and Massachusetts soccer associations. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city is gladly accepting a "mini-pitch" from the U.S. Soccer Foundation to bring games back to Crane Park. 

Fueling excitement around the World Cup, U.S. Soccer has been working with the Massachusetts Youth Soccer League to make these facilities available to 20 communities — one of which will be at the park at the intersection of Benedict Road and Springside Avenue. 

The City Council accepted the gift on Tuesday during its regular meeting. 

A mini pitch is a compact, modular field typically used for soccer, and it can also accommodate inline skates. It has a galvanized steel border with built-in goals and a rubber plastic surface that is clicked together; installed on the existing inline hockey court. 

Ward 2 Councilor Cameron Cunningham said he has gone door to door speaking with nearby residents, and they are "really excited" about the upgrade. He also sees it as a great addition. 

"They say that nobody really uses the court a ton now, and they are excited to see kids back on there playing," he said. 

Decades ago, the Crane Park facility was a wading pool. It closed in 1980, and before the turn of the century, it was filled in and marked for hockey. 

Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Manager James McGrath explained that the wooden border around the rink is showing its age, has been vandalized and tagged, and the facility is seeing a "real decline" in use. 

"This would seem to be an appropriate spot for us to remove the board system that's in place and install the mini pitch system through this grant," he said.