OB/GYN Physician, Surgeon Joins BMC Medical Staff

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Dr. Lauren B. Slater
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Health Systems appointed Lauren B. Slater, an obstetrician and gynecologist with a specialization in robotic gynecologic surgery, to the Berkshire Medical Center staff.

Slater joins Berkshire OB/GYN Associates, practicing with doctors Andrew Beckwith, Robert Benner, Herbert Kantor, Cassandra Service and Michael Shreefter.

She received her medical degree from the State University of New York Upstate Medical School in Syracuse, N.Y. and completed her residency training at St. Francis' Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford, Conn.

In addition to providing general obstetric and gynecological services, Slater will provide gynecologic surgery utilizing BMC's da Vinci Surgical System - a state-of-the-art, robotic-assisted system that allows the surgeon to perform complex surgery with precision through very small incisions.

Slater is accepting new patients. For more information or to make an appointment with Slater or one of her colleagues, call 413-499-8570.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Pittsfield Cannabis Cultivator Plans Dispensary

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD. Mass. — A cannabis cultivator and manufacturer has opted to sell its products on site in Downing Parkway. 

The Zoning Board of Appeals this month approved a special permit for J-B.A.M. Inc. to operate a dispensary out of its existing grow facility. There will only be changes to the interior of 71 Downing Parkway, as there will be less than 500 square feet of retail space in the 20,000-square-foot building. 

"My only concern would be the impact, and really would be traffic, which I don't think is excessive, the odor, if there was one, but that doesn't seem to be an issue, and I think it's a good location for a marijuana facility," board member Thomas Goggins said. 

The company's indoor cultivation site plan was approved in 2019, an amendment to add manufacturing and processing in 2021, and on the prior day, a new site plan to add a retail dispensary was approved by the Community Development Board. 

J-B.A.M. cannabis products are available in local dispensaries. 

The interior of the facility will be divided to accommodate an enclosed check-in area, front entrance, retail lobby, secure storage room, offices, and two bathrooms. There are 27 parking spaces for the facility, which is sufficient for the use. 

No medical or recreational cannabis uses are permitted within 500 feet of a school or daycare, a setback that is met, and the space is within an industrial park at the end of a cul-de-sac. 

"The applicant desires the restructuring of the business to be more competitive in the industry with the ability to grow and sell their own cannabis products so they have more financial stability," Chair Albert Ingegni III, read from the application. 

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