CHP Names Associate Director of Dental Medicine

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Dr. Lina Bermudez has been named associate director of dental medicine at CHP Berkshires.  
 
She joined CHP Great Barrington Family Dental in 2013, and in her new role will work with CHP leadership to support CHP's dental practices and staff in North Adams, Adams, Pittsfield and Great Barrington. 
 
Her appointment follows completion of a countywide expansion of CHP's dental services, intended to expand oral healthcare access to thousands of Berkshire residents, especially those who rely on MassHealth for their insurance coverage. The Great Barrington Family Dental Center has recently reopened after a two-year development project. 
 
"Dr. Bermudez has been a role model in both caring for dental patients at CHP, and in her commitment to expanding access to dental care throughout the Berkshires," said Dr. Andrew Beckwith, chief medical officer at CHP Berkshires. "We look forward to Dr. Bermudez's new role in bringing broader leadership of our CHP dental team." 
 
A native of Colombia, Bermudez is a general dentistry graduate of the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. Prior to her work at CHP, she worked as a dentist for Hillcrest Educational Centers. 
 
In addition to her new leadership responsibilities, Dr. Bermudez will continue to see patients at Great Barrington Family Dental. 
 
"I am very excited to join and contribute to this team dedicated to the CHP mission, and I look forward to bringing my experience to achieve meaningful impact," said Bermudez. "It is always my honor to be on a team that's making a difference to the health of our Berkshire community." 
 
Community Health Programs, Inc. (CHP Berkshires) is a healthcare network based in the Berkshires of Western Mass. serving approximately 30,000 regional residents with whole-person, comprehensive medical and dental services at multiple practice locations. CHP Family Services supports families with parent education, WIC and other services. CHP accepts most forms of private and public health insurance, including MassHealth, and offers sliding fee scales for qualifying patients. CHP is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Chpberkshires.org

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Butternut Fire Expands to Sheffield, Covering 1,100 Acres

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

The fire expanded during to the night to cover more than 1,100 acres. 

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Butternut Fire has expanded tenfold, now covering almost 1,100 acres of forest and spreading to Sheffield.

Just before noon on Wednesday, the town reported that the wildfire near Brush Hill Road off East Mountain had unexpected growth overnight. It spread over 100 acres on Tuesday and on Wednesday, was estimated to cover slightly less than 1,100 acres.

The town remains in a state of emergency, as declared by the Select Board on Tuesday, but first responders assure that Great Barrington is not in danger.

Around 2 p.m., the Great Barrington Fire Department reported via Facebook that "significant fire" was extinguished by using a Blackhawk helicopter to drop 600 gallons of water. Water is now being pulled from Three Mile Pond in Sheffield.

The blaze is being referred to as the Butternut Fire due to its proximity to Ski Butternut, which has confirmed there is no damage to the ski area.

"At this time the fire is more than a quarter of a mile from the nearest structures and there are not any immediate threats to the public. There have NOT been any evacuation orders at this time. We have strategically placed structural fire crews in the areas where there is the POTENTIAL for us to operate in a protection mode to protect homes and property," the town's press release reads.

"In the event of a need for an evacuation order, residents will be notified through Code RED along with in-person door-to-door notifications of the affected area — an information post will be shared on how to sign up if you are already not signed up."

The fire was first reported Monday evening and by 9 p.m., firefighters were pulled from the mountain because of the hazardous conditions. On Tuesday morning, neighboring departments were called in to help contain the blaze.

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