BHS Hospitals Receive High Marks from CMS

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) shared that all three of its hospitals have earned high marks from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) in the annual star ratings.

CMS ratings matter because they give patients an independent look at hospital quality, safety, and patient experience and help them make informed decisions about where to receive care.

"We are incredibly proud of our team of skilled and compassionate professionals who work tirelessly to care for our community. These CMS ratings are a validation that BHS's care and services, right here in Berkshire County, not only meet, but exceed national standards," stated Darlene Rodowicz, the President & CEO of BHS.  "Residents and visitors alike can feel reassured that their closest and most convenient hospitals also provide top quality care."

Berkshire Medical Center

For the second year in a row, BMC has achieved the significant milestone of four-stars for overall quality based on how well it performs across different measures of quality, such as treating heart attacks and pneumonia, readmission rates, and safety of care. BMC scored at or above the national average on mortality, safety of care and readmission rates and performed well in patient experience and timely and effective care. Not all hospitals are eligible for evaluation in all quality measures; BMC's rating is based on its strong performance in 48 of 52 possible quality areas. Notably, BMC is among an elite group of just four acute care hospitals in the region (within 50 miles) to be recognized with at least four stars.

Fairview Hospital

Fairview Hospital has received a five-star rating for overall quality. Fairview scored at or better than the national average in timely and effective emergency department care and quality measures for unplanned hospital visits, such as heart failure and pneumonia. Fairview's overall quality ratings are based on its strong performance in 33 of 52 possible quality areas. Additionally, Fairview has also been recognized with a five-star inpatient survey rating, based on feedback from 152 participants who completed an HCAHPS survey, designed to evaluate various elements of patient experience.

North Adams Regional Hospital

NARH has proudly achieved a five-star inpatient survey rating. As with Fairview, the patient survey rating measures patients' experiences of their care on topics like how well nurses and doctors communicated and treated patients, and how well staff prepared patients to recover at home. NARH received inpatient survey feedback from at total of 126 participants who completed an HCAPHS survey. Because North Adams Regional Hospital (NARH) opened as a critical access hospital just over two years ago, it has not yet produced enough patient data to qualify for an overall star rating.

To learn more about the high-quality care and services provided at each of BHS's hospital facilities, please visit www.berkshirehealthsystems.org. For more information about each hospital's ratings, visit medicare.gov/care-compare.

Allendale Pines North Affordable Manufactured Homes Sell Fast

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:17PM / Saturday, August 22, 2026

Developer Teton Management cut the ribbon on the first six hopes in the manufactured housing community earlier this year. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Just a few months after Allendale Pines North cut the ribbon on its first six homes in the new manufactured home community, units in the planned development are selling fast with both first and second phases all but sold out.

 

For several years, Teton Management Corp. has been planning to expand its existing Allendale Pines Mobile Community with the development of 22 planned manufactured housing units. The new development has its own entrance at 395 Cheshire Road. 

 

The need for attainable housing has never been higher, Teton President George Whaling said. 

 

"And where we sought the opportunity to help with that demand is, we can get folks into a home at Allendale Pines North for essentially a couple of $100 less than what it would cost for someone to rent a three-bedroom of the same quality," he said. 

 

The corporation took over Allendale Pines, now referred to as Allendale Pines South, about 6 1/2 years ago, Whaling said. 

 

Since then, the corporation has invested $1,000,001 in infrastructure improvements, including replacing all water and sewer lines, paving the community and installing the infrastructure needed for 10 additional units, he said. 

 

Additionally, it has been working to clean up and improve the community, which was lacking during previous ownership, said Jason Nocher, owner of Nocher Realty, which has been hired to help sell the units.