BHS Appoints Vice President of Quality

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) has announced that Susan Gazzillo, MSN, RN, CRNI, has been named Vice President of Quality for BHS. 
 
Gazzillo previously served as Senior Director of Nursing for Specialty Care for the past three years. She was selected after a nationwide search for this system-wide leadership position.
 
As Vice President of Quality, Gazzillo will continue Berkshire Health Systems' focus on enhancing patient safety and performance improvement, clinical excellence and overall quality of care across all patient care locations. 
 
"Sue's extensive experience and outstanding leadership qualities made her the ideal candidate for Vice President of Quality," said James Lederer, MD, BHS Chief Medical Officer and Chief Quality Officer. "Her commitment to excellence in all of the areas she has served within Berkshire Health Systems perfectly aligns with her new role."
 
Prior to her role as Senior Director of Nursing for Specialty Care, Gazzillo served as Administrative Director of Cancer Care and Infusion Services at the Phelps Cancer Center In her 38 years at BHS, she has also held leadership roles in Critical Care, Pharmacy and IV Therapy and Acute Care.

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District Moving On From Allegations Against PHS Administrator

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The district is "moving on" from unsubstantiated allegations against two Pittsfield High School administrators, saying there is no threat.

Dean of Students Molly West returned to work last week after being put on leave in December. The Department of Children and Families has cleared West and Vice Principal Alison Shepard of misconduct claims that surfaced after another PHS dean was arrested and charged by the U.S. Attorney's Office for allegedly conspiring to traffic large quantities of cocaine.

School Committee Chair William Cameron on Wednesday emphasized that when such an investigation finds no evidence of wrongdoing, fundamental fairness and due process prohibits taking punitive action simply because of allegations. Reportedly, West was also investigated and cleared in the past.

"The circumstances of Mrs. West being placed on administrative leave don't need to be recited here," he said.

"Social media allegations made against her in December, which then regrettably were widely publicized, were not new. They had been heard, investigated, and found meritless by other school districts many years ago, nevertheless, they were disinterred recently by someone providing neither evidence nor a credible source and then reinvestigated twice in the last three months."

Senior Emma Goetze said she was "appalled, deeply disappointed, and frustrated that an administrator who has been placed on leave, someone who has caused significant discomfort and distress to so many students, has been allowed to return to our building."

"I understand that there is an investigation and acknowledge that this individual was cleared but it feels incredibly unjust to me and to many of my peers that despite everything, this person is being given the opportunity to come back," she said. "It's important to recognize that even though an investigation may have found no wrongdoing, that doesn't change the reality of how this individual's presence makes many students feel."

Investigations led by DCF and retired Superior Court Judge Mary-Lou Rup concluded that there is no evidence to substantiate the accusations.

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