One day after announcing it will invest $6 million to upgrade and expand outpatient services at the former North Adams Regional Hospital, Berkshire Medical Center has been awarded $3 million by the state of Massachusetts to further aid the region.On Wednesday the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission awarded 28 community hospitals $60 million in Phase 2 of its hospital acceleration, revitalization and transformation investment program. The $3 million granted to BMC will be used to create a multi-care center at the former North Adams hospital, according to Dr. Mark Pettus, director of medical education and population health.
“Which would include clinic personnel with expertise in areas like diabetes, heart and behavioral healthcare,” said Pettus.
North Adams Regional abruptly closed in March. BMC’s parent company Berkshire Health Systems has since purchased the site where it runs a satellite emergency facility.
Pettus expects BMC will be ready to move forward with the multi-care center in the first quarter of 2015.
