High School Girls Basketball To Fight Cancer In Showcase

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The county's girls high school basketball teams will battle it out Saturday to raise money for the American Cancer Society and the Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research.

The Berkshire County Athletic Directors Association and the American Cancer Society are putting on the 5th annual Coaches vs. Cancer Showcase at Pittsfield High School.

Beginning at 11 a.m., this all-day event will feature six varsity games pitting local rivals against each other. The match-ups are based on league standings in an effort to schedule extremely competitive games between comparable teams.

A variety of activities are planned on and off the court throughout the day - including great food, raffle prizes, music, and more. A "Wall of Hope" will also be built throughout the day, allowing all spectators the opportunity to sign a card in memory or in honor of the fight against cancer.

The showcase raises between $8,000 and $10,000 a year.

For additional information, or to make a donation in advance, please contact John Franzoni, Drury High School coach, at (413) 652-1381 or Jim Abel, Pittsfield Public Schools athletic director, at (413) 499-9522.


The event schedule is as follows:

Berkshire County
Girls Basketball Coaches vs. Cancer Showcase
Saturday, January 18, 2012
Location:  Pittsfield High School

11:00 --- McCann vs St Joseph
12:30 --- Monument Mountain vs Taconic
2:15 --- Drury vs Wahconah
4:00 --- Mt. Everett vs Mt. Greylock
5:45 --- Lenox vs Hoosac Valley
7:30 --- Lee vs Pittsfield High

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

BCC Celebrates 10 Years of Medical Coding, HIM Program

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

BCC President Ellen Kennedy says she was excited to overhear two graduates who 'raved' about the program at a dentist's office. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College's Medical Coding and Health Information Management Program has seen around 150 graduates since its inception in 2014.

Many have found the career path to be rewarding and accessible, as Berkshire County residents can work for top medical institutions remotely.

Ann Marie Perry said her life since her 2015 graduation has seen a constant upward and positive trajectory, being transformed both professionally and personally. She now works as a data quality specialist for Massachusetts General Brigham Hospital in Boston.

"Had you asked me 10 years ago whether that would have ever been in the realm of what I thought was possible for myself, I assure you, the answer would have been a resounding 'no,'" Perry said.

"Berkshire Community College and this distinguished HIM program made what seemed like the impossible possible and for that, I'm forever grateful."

Staff members, students, and graduates gathered at BCC's Connector area on Thursday to mark one decade of the program and honor those who paved the way for it. Last year, Medical Coding earned a national Professional Certificate Approval Program accreditation.

College President Ellen Kennedy said they convened in a "joyful celebration" of the program and the opportunities it has provided to students and their families as well as medical practices.

Aimed to provide a seamless transition to employment, it is an educational partnership between Berkshire Health Systems, the college's Division of Workforce Development and Community Education, and the Division of Science and Business.

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