North Adams Regional Hospital officially reopens

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. (WWLP) – North Adams Regional Hospital reopened with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, ten years to the day that it closed under previous ownership.

For the last ten years, the hospital has only been offering emergency services and outpatient care after the company that previously ran it filed for bankruptcy. Officials say the hospital will now reduce transportation barriers for emergency patients, who previously had to travel 20 minutes to Pittsfield for follow-up care.

“The reopening of North Adams Regional Hospital is a historic opportunity to advance the health and wellness of the Northern Berkshire community,” said Darlene Rodowicz, President and CEO of Berkshire Health Systems. “Expanding access to care for North Berkshire through a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) is a key part of our strategic plan; we are thankful to Congressman Neal and his Massachusetts colleagues in the House and Senate, our Berkshire state legislative delegation, the municipal leaders across North Berkshire and the many people in the community who have steadfastly supported our plans to reopen NARH to provide the highest standard of care that the North Berkshire community expects and deserves.”

The hospital will have 18 beds, and could use up to 25 under special circumstances. Officials say they already have over 40 employees, and are working on hiring more, as well as becoming Medicaid certified.

Congressman Richard Neal was a big advocate for getting this hospital reopen, ““There are stark inequities in rural and underserved communities as it relates to our nation’s health system. That is why I have long advocated for changes that will address health equity and allow everyone to have a fair and just opportunity to achieve their highest level of health, regardless of who they are or where they live. I am pleased that after working alongside the Biden Administration, we were able to make substantial progress in this endeavor by changing the designation criteria for Critical Access Hospitals. This change is what ultimately allowed North Adams Regional Hospital to reopen, and I am thrilled that communities in my district will be a significant benefactor.”

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