Williamstown Medical Associates Undergoing Name Change
WILLIAMSTOWN — Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) announced that Williamstown Medical Associates has changed its name to Williamstown Medical of BMC.
At the end of 2013, Williamstown Medical Associates became an affiliate of Berkshire Health Systems, and is now fully integrated with the BHS physician practices in order to gain advantages for the long-term health of the practice. Williamstown sought the affiliation because, at that time, it faced financial and support pressures, common to physician practices across the U.S., that were threatening its ability to effectively serve the 12,000 local patients who depend on the North Berkshire practice for care.
Growing changes in healthcare policy and in the health-insurance reimbursement system have challenged the viability of private physician practices. At the same time, healthcare systems like BHS are increasingly relied upon to ensure current and future access to critical services for the community by investing in physician practices and ensuring they have the necessary support systems and financial stability and investment to succeed in the long term.
“Through our partnership with Berkshire Health Systems, Williamstown Medical of BMC has preserved and strengthened the availability of primary care and other medical services in Northern Berkshire, and has enhanced the ability to coordinate and provide health services throughout the system and across the county for primary and specialty care services,” said Williamstown Medical Physician Practice Leader Dr. Anthony Smeglin. “Our practice is stronger, and BHS is continuing its recruitment of new physicians and advanced-practice professionals to serve the residents of Northern Berkshire. In fact, we have a new physician assistant who will be starting soon. We are pleased to be teamed with the many other highly successful primary-care and specialty physician practices in the BHS group.”
Williamstown Medical of BMC has offices in Williamstown and North Adams, and the phone numbers have not changed: (413) 458-8182 in Williamstown and (413) 664-5710 in North Adams. The Williamstown location is also home to BHS Walk-In Care, providing care for non-urgent health situations on a walk-in basis, open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.