Berkshire Medical Center Inc

“Berkshire medical center inc relies on bhs management services, inc. To provide management and support services for the chief executive officer, chief fiancial officer, vp general counsel, vp human resources, and vp of physician services.”

“Berkshire health systems, inc. Is the sole corporate member of berkshire medical center, inc.”

“The board of trustees is composed of the incumbent members of the board of trustees of berkshire health systems, inc.”

“Bhs will make the forms 990 for bhs and affiliates available to the members of the respective governing bodies for their review by (a) sending copies to them physically or electronically, or (b) notifying the members that the forms 990 can be accessed by a secure web-based folder before they are filed with the irs.”

“The organization monitors and enforces its conflict of interest policy by requiring all members of the governing body and all officers, key employees and highest compensated employees to disclose potential conflicts of interest (a) annually and (b) as potential conflicts arise. The executive committee of the governing body is charged with reviewing potential conflicts of interest involving members of the governing body or the president and chief executive officer of the organization. The president and chief executive officer is charged with reviewing potential conflicts of interest involving any others. Officers (including the president and chief executive officer), key employees and highest compensated employees are not permitted to have material conflicts of interest. The disinterested members of the governing body are charged with determining whether a conflict exists in the case of members of the governing body and how the affected member is to abstain from action that may be influenced by his or her conflict or potential conflict, including by (a) not voting or (b) not voting and leaving the room or (c) leaving the governing body.”

“Compensation of the chief executive officer is reviewed and established at least biannually by the independent, volunteer, bhs governing body, based on performance reviews and comparison to independently established, regionally appropriate benchmarks for similar positions in similarly sized healthcare organizations, as verified by independent, nationally recognized compensation consultants. Compensation of other officers and key employees is set in accordance with governing body-established principles based on comparable benchmark identified by such independent consultants. In the reporting year, the governing body targeted base compensation for management employees at the 60th percentile of appropriate benchmarks. The organization followed this process for the tax year being reported.”

“Berkshire medical center, inc's form 990 report is available on the following websites: guidestar at www.guidestar.org office of the ma attoreny general at www.charities.ago.state.ma.us/charities/”

“Governance documents, the conflict of interest policy and financial statements are available to the public at the office of (a) the chief financial officer and (b) the vice president and general counsel at 725 north street, pittsfield ma 01201.”

“Equity transfer -36,054,962.”

“Youth mental health the mental health challenges of youth and young adults (age 12-24) are acute. Across the service area, youth surveys from 2021, as well as the statewide covid-19 impact survey from 2020, show that the pandemic has worsened the mental health of many adolescents and teenagers, who experienced growing anxiety, sadness, and depression. Inequities were brought to the fore during the pandemic, especially for girls, black and latino/a/e youth, youth with a disability, lgbtqia+, rural youth, and young adults 18-24. Adult mental health and substance use as was the case in the 2021 chna, mental health and substance use disorder continue to be prioritized health needs across the state and berkshire health systems' service area. Any discussion of mental health and substance use disorder in western massachusetts must acknowledge the diversity of lived experience within the region and this service area. Mental health and substance use challenges emerge in varied contexts, from rural poverty and isolation to discrimination. Among public health officials in berkshire county surveyed in 2021 for this assessment, 36% of respondents overall listed mental health and substance use as one of the most pressing health issues in their community. A subset of those respondents also cited a shortage of mental health and substance use services. The statewide covid-19 community impact survey (ccis) conducted in 2020 reported that in the berkshire health systems service area, one in three respondents (33%) reported 15 or more poor mental health days in the past 30 days. The rate was 34% for respondents that lived in a rural area. The question on poor mental health days is a standard item from the cdc behavioral risk factor surveillance system that includes stress, depression, and problems with emotions. More than one in four respondents (27%) reported experiencing three or more post traumatic stress disorder (ptsd)-like reactions to the pandemic, which include nightmares, avoidant behaviors, guilt, etc. Among berkshire county respondents that used any substance in the past 30 days, 39% increased their substance use compared to before the onset of the pandemic. Berkshire health systems is focused on expanding residents' access to culturally competent mental health services and services aimed at helping people with substance use disorder, and making them readily available to them. Chronic conditions chronic health conditions remain prioritized needs. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (copd), cardiovascular disease, and other chronic conditions that are also risk factors for heart disease - diabetes and obesity - also show disparities, with higher rates among black residents. Another chronic condition, alzheimer's disease, appears to have been affected by covid-19, with the u.s. Centers for disease control and prevention (cdc) reporting that there were 16% more deaths from this and other forms of dementia in 2020 compared to the prior five-year average. Cancer hospital admission rates decreased across the service area. The service area saw an increase in residents aged 65 and older living in the area, and advanced age (65 and older) is a risk factor for cancer. Access to physical activity and a healthy diet contribute to health and well-being, and youth and adults are not getting the recommended intake of fruits and vegetables and leisure-time physical activity. Berkshire county has the highest rate of premature death under age 75 in massachusetts, with black residents in berkshire county disproportionately impacted by premature death. Housing and homelessness affordable, accessible, and supportive housing is a key contributor to health, and covid-19 has contributed to housing challenges. Several key informant interviews for this report identified safe and affordable housing as one of the top health-related concerns. More than one in four (26%) of households in the service area qualify as housing-cost burdened, meaning they spend 30% or”

“Chronic condtions & infectious disease continued obesity - berkshire medical center has several programs focused on reducing obesity among both youth and adult populations. Operation better start (obs) is a unique program that works with families and children to provide nutritional guidance and exercise programs. Obs partners with local pediatricians and the public schools to reach at-risk youth and families. Bmc wellness at work provides local businesses with targeted wellness programs for employees to reduce obesity and other co-morbidities. Tobacco use/ nicotine dependence- this need is addressed by bmc through "hypnosis for quitting smoking," beat the pack (offered to employees), tobacco cessation education and, referrals to other tobacco cessation programs. Additionally, other community organizations and programs that are on the forefront of addressing this need include: berkshire ahec, tri-town health department, make smoking history through massachusetts dph, and quit to win through fallon health. Bmc refers to these programs for tobacco and nicotine cessation efforts. Access to care & care coordination 1. Access for under and uninsured - bmc's advocacy for access program connects thousands of people in our community to health insurance options available through masshealth and other programs. 2. Enhancing access and the healthcare workforce - the region's significant reliance on government-reimbursed services can have a direct influence on locally available programs and services. Bhs continues to face staffing challenges, like those experienced across the nation and is exploring career training programs that can simultaneously help to reduce clinician shortages and help to raise median income levels through strong employment opportunities for berkshire residents. 3. Bhs nurse call line - the nurse call line helps patients determine where they should go for their care-urgent care, emergency care, primary care. Nurses help patients on warfarin manage their medication in collaboration with their primary care provider as well as help people navigate the healthcare system and provide assistance with access to community services. Social economic 1. Community development/ engagement - bmc works in collaboration with numerous community organizations on programs that are aimed at improving community development, some of our partners include: northern berkshire community coalition, the berkshire united way, local senior centers, and municipal governments across the county. Emergency preparedness - working in partnership with community organizations, including local fire and police departments, ems providers, regional emergency response committees and the county boards of health association, bhs has a comprehensive emergency preparedness program. This program works to improve response to potential community emergencies through regular tabletop and live-action drills. Bhs's emergency operations also has plans in place for response to a wide variety of potential emergencies, including mass casualty, electrical outages, flooding, snow/ice storm, and many others. 2. Healthcare disparities - bmc actively works to reduce health disparities in the community through expanded access to primary care and specialty services, recruitment of healthcare professionals with varied backgrounds and language competency, and a dedicated translation service that can provide patients with access to care using their own language, with professional health interpreters and/or access to electronic services that can provide interpretation. Numerous community efforts are also used to reach as many as possible in the community, including community health workers that can help community members overcome barriers such as transportation, food insecurity, housing, telephone access, and much more. 3. Maternal/child health - bmc has numerous programs designed to aid new mothers and newborns in attaining optimal health during and after pregnancy, including pre-natal”