Fairview Hospital, Berkshire Health Systems’ nationally recognized critical access hospital, will host Destination Better Health ’24, a week of free health education, programs, and resources offered under a tent next to the hospital at 29 Lewis Avenue in Great Barrington, from Tuesday, June 25 through Monday, July 1. The program is designed to raise awareness through education and exposure to topics of high interest to the community. The schedule includes morning, midday, and afternoon programming, and all events are free of charge. Pre-registration is requested and can be completed on Berkshire Health Systems’ website or by calling Fairview’s Community Relations Office at (413) 854-9609.
Tuesday, June 25
- 12 p.m. — “Stress Release Through Hypnosis” will be led by certified hypnotherapist and BHS Wellness Coach Doreen Donovan.
- 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. — BHS Bloodmobile will be on site (both Tuesday and Wednesday). Appointments are preferred, but drop-ins are welcomed. To schedule, call (413) 447-2597, option 2.
- 4 p.m. — “The Role of Hormones in Bone Health” will be offered by Pier Boutin MD of Fairview Orthopedic and Sports Medicine.
Wednesday, June 26
- 12 p.m. — “Diabetes: Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment Resources in our Community” will take place presented by diabetes educator Lauren Whitney of Endocrinology and Metabolism at BMC.
- 4 p.m. — In “Berkshire Health Systems: Looking to the Future,” BHS President and CEO Darlene Rodowicz will be joined by Fairview Interim Vice President Emmett Schuster for a discussion of the challenges and opportunities for healthcare in the Berkshires.
Thursday, June 27
- 9:30 a.m. — “Improving Veterans’ Access to Care” is a coffee and conversation session for veterans and their families and will include presenters Tom Baisley, a Southern Berkshires Veterans Coordinator; Robert Shearer of BHS Urgent Care; and Kayli Manning of the BHS Nurse Line to discuss new services that can be helpful in accessing care.
- 12 p.m. — “Moving and Functionality: Signs and Strategies to Avoid Decline” will be presented by Fairview Hospital Director of Rehabilitation Victoria Guy RPT, joined by Dr. Katie Hatt of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitative Services of BMC.
- 4 p.m. — “10 Ways to Protect Your Heart and Local Resources to Help You” will be presented by Fairview’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Department nurses, Ellen Brady and Cathy Samuels.
Friday, June 28
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — In “Learn How to Save a Life: Naloxone Training Drop-In,” Berkshire Harm Reduction will offer ongoing training at the Harm Reduction mobile van, which will be located in front of the Main Entrance to Fairview Hospital.
12 p.m. — “Snoring, Sleep Apnea and Other Sleep Disorders” will be presented by BMC polysomnographic technologist Thomas Rathbun, who will discuss sharing information about signs and symptoms of health issues, as well as diagnostic and treatment services available at the Berkshire Sleep Disorders Clinic in Pittsfield.
Saturday, June 29
- 10 a.m. — In honor of National Pride Month, Fairview Hospital will host “LGBTQ+ Aging Well PRIDE Potluck and Learning Lab at Fairview Hospital,” a special program for the LGBTQ+ community. The panel of speakers will include Bart Church, interim director of Q-MoB of the Berkshires; Maureen Daniels, BHS director of wellness; Doreen Hutchinson, vice president of Operation and Patient Care at Fairview Hospital; and Catherine Record, certified application consultant at BHS Advocacy for Access.
Monday, July 1
- 12 p.m. — “Preventing Food Allergies from Developing in Children” will be offered by Dr. Ronald Sunog, a pediatrician at Macony, accompanied by Robert Hoechster, Fairview Hospital nutritionist and father of a child with severe food allergies.
- 4 p.m. — “Community Health Workers: Connecting You to Resources” will be presented by Adrien Conklin, RN of care coordination of Berkshire Faculty Services; Halle Miller, a CHW working at East Mountain Medical Center in Great Barrington; and Deb Phillips, coordinator of the Southern Berkshire Rural Health Network, who will also share information about 413Cares, a website listing resources in the community.
In addition to the programs above, the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce will partner with Fairview for the June “Networking Before Nine” meeting on Wednesday, June 26, at 7:30 p.m., at Fairview Hospital under the Destination Better Health tent. “Developing Our Future Workforce” will be presented by a panel of speakers including BHS Manager of Talent Development Courtney Warren, Lauren Cameron of Warrior Trading, and Pam Wojtkowski of MassHire Career Center. Pre-registration is required by calling the Chamber of Commerce at (413) 528-4284. There is a fee to cover the cost of breakfast.
