Former Dempsey Pediatrics Joins BHS Umbrella

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Dr. Gicewicz received his medical degree from Tulane University, New Orleans, and completed his residency at Albany Medical Center.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) announced that the former Dempsey Pediatrics provider practice has joined BHS, furthering the legacy of care provided by Dr. Brian Dempsey.
 
"We are pleased to continue the dedicated care services that Dempsey Pediatrics has provided for decades through Berkshire Health Pediatrics," said James Lederer, MD, BHS Chief Medical Officer and Chief Quality Officer. "The landscape for primary care and pediatrics has changed dramatically over the last decade, making it increasingly harder for offices to continue as stand-alone practices. By joining with Berkshire Health Systems, Dempsey Pediatrics can continue to care for the region's children and families and can expand the practice to meet their needs now and well into the future."
 
Effective Tuesday, April 2, 2024, Dempsey Pediatrics became Berkshire Health Pediatrics, retaining the majority of the office staff and clinical care team and welcoming Dr. Adam Gicewicz to the team of caregivers.
 
"BHS is very pleased to welcome the Dempsey Pediatrics team to our provider practice organization," said Darlene Rodowicz, BHS President and CEO. "The service and support that thousands of families have come to expect from Dempsey Pediatrics will continue through the team at Berkshire Health Pediatrics. "
 
Gicewicz has been serving with MACONY Pediatrics in recent months and is moving to Berkshire Health Pediatrics. Dr. Gicewicz received his medical degree from Tulane University, New Orleans, and completed his residency at Albany Medical Center. Dr. Dempsey will remain at the practice during the transition period.
 
The office remains at 758 East St. in Pittsfield and will have expanded hours, open Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 5 pm. After-hours access will be provided through an on-call provider. Berkshire Health Pediatrics will also use the Berkshire Patient Portal, ensuring secure, accurate and integrated patient information with other BHS services, which helps providers to have a comprehensive view of each patient's care.
 
Added care options will include in-office vaccination for patients over the age of 18, community health workers helping connect patients and families to community partners and resources to support overall well-being, and direct access to the expansive BHS network of clinical services.
 
Berkshire Health Pediatrics can be reached at the same phone number that was used by Dempsey Pediatrics – 413-448-8212.

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ServiceNet Cuts Ribbon on Vocational Farm to 'Sow Seeds of Hope'

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Lori Carnute plants flowers at the farm and enjoys seeing her friends. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Smiles were all around as farmers, human service workers, and officials cut the ribbon Friday on ServiceNet's new vocational farm on Crane Avenue.

Whether it is planting flowers or growing fresh produce, the program is for "sowing seeds of hope" for those with developmental disabilities.

"What Prospect Meadow Farm is about is changing lives," Vice President of Vocational Services Shawn Robinson said.

"Giving people something meaningful to do, a community to belong to, a place to go every day and to make a paycheck, and again, I am seeing that every day from our first 17 farmhands the smiles on their faces. They're glad to be here. They're glad to be making money."

Prospect Meadow Farm Berkshires held a launch event on Friday with tours, music, snacks, and a ribbon cutting in front of its tomato greenhouse. The nonprofit human service agency closed on the former Jodi's Seasonal on Crane Avenue earlier this year.  

It is an expansion of ServiceNet's first farm in Hatfield that has provided meaningful agricultural work, fair wages, and personal and professional growth to hundreds of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities since opening in 2011.

Eventually, the farm will employ 50 individuals with developmental disabilities year-round and another 20 to 25 local folks supporting their work.

The pay is a great aspect for Billy Baker, who is learning valuable skills for future employment doing various tasks around the farm. He has known some of the ServiceNet community for over a decade.

"I just go wherever they need me to help," he said. "I'm more of a hands-on person."

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