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The $30 million cancer center at BMC's Hillcrest campus is being named the Phelps Cancer Center in honor of former BHS President David Phelps who was instrumental in its development.

BMC Renaming Cancer Center After Former President, CEO

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Health Systems is renaming the BMC Cancer Center to honor former health system President and CEO David E. Phelps in recognition of his leadership in the development of the center and its membership in the Dana-Farber Cancer Care Collaborative.

The new name is the Phelps Cancer Center.

"Throughout Dave's nearly three decades at the helm of our organization, BHS overcame a seriously troubled financial outlook and weak quality performance to become an A-rated system financially and a nationally recognized performer in patient care, quality, and safety," said Darlene Rodowicz, president and CEO of Berkshire Health Systems. "One of Dave's greatest accomplishments during his tenure was the establishment of the cancer center at the Hillcrest Campus of BMC, which opened in fall 2013."

Phelps, who retired in January, developed a vision for a cancer care facility that would not only smoothly coordinate the highest quality care for patients in a convenient, close-to-home location, but would also offer integrated, whole-patient care for patients and their families, including social worker support, fitness, acupuncture, nutrition assistance, and other types of integrative wellness programming.

The cancer experience of a close family member led Phelps to engage with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, and the idea of maintaining a close relationship with a leading research organization like Dana-Farber became an integral part of his plans for the future of cancer care in the Berkshires, which ultimately led to the creation of the Dana-Farber Cancer Care Collaborative, of which BMC was the first member.

"Our organization's relationships with community hospitals have allowed Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to collaborate and expand what's possible. That started here in collaboration with Berkshire Medical Center," said Elizabeth Liebow, chief integration officer and senior vice president of strategy and organizational effectiveness for Dana-Farber. "BMC and Dana-Farber have been involved in a 10-year relationship of respect and mutual learning."

As a collaborative member, Phelps Cancer Center standards and practices are validated by one of the nation's leading cancer care and research institutions. The relationship ensures that patients can have streamlined access to specialists and second opinions at Dana-Farber in Boston. It also gives them access to participate in Dana-Farber clinical trials and enables Phelps Center clinical staff to engage with Dana-Farber professional groups and other collaborative members to continue developing new ways to serve Berkshire patients.

Barton Raser, chair of the Berkshire Health Systems board of trustees, commented on the incredible value of the cancer center, stating, "Dave has given our community a priceless gift — what we have right here in the Berkshires at the cancer center is hope. And the promise that no cancer patient is ever alone. On behalf of the board and leadership of BHS, we are proud to re-name the cancer center in Dave's honor."

 


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Letter: Is the Select Board Listening to Dalton Voters?

Letter to the Editor

To the Editor:

A reasonable expectation by the people of a community is that their Select Board rises above personal preference and represents the collective interests of the community. On Tuesday night [Nov. 12], what occurred is reason for concern that might not be true in Dalton.

This all began when a Select Board member submitted his resignation effective Oct. 1 to the Town Clerk. Wishing to fill the vacated Select Board seat, in good faith I followed the state law, prepared a petition, and collected the required 200-plus signatures of which the Town Clerk certified 223. The Town Manager, who already had a copy of the Select Board member's resignation, was notified of the certified petitions the following day. All required steps had been completed.

Or had they? At the Oct. 9 Select Board meeting when Board members discussed the submitted petition, there was no mention about how they were informed of the petition or that they had not seen the resignation letter. Then a month later at the Nov. 12 Select Board meeting we learn that providing the resignation letter and certified petitions to the Town Manager was insufficient. However, by informing the Town Manager back in October the Select Board had been informed. Thus, the contentions raised at the Nov. 12 meeting by John Boyle seem like a thinly veiled attempt to delay a decision until the end of January deadline to have a special election has passed.

If this is happening with the Special Election, can we realistically hope that the present Board will listen to the call by residents to halt the rapid increases in spending and our taxes that have been occurring the last few years and pass a level-funded budget for next year, or to not harness the taxpayers in town with the majority of the cost for a new police station? I am sure these issues are of concern to many in town. However, to make a change many people need to speak up.

Please reach out to a Select Board member and let them know you are concerned and want the Special Election issue addressed and finalized at their Nov. 25 meeting.

Robert E.W. Collins
Dalton, Mass.

 

 

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