When: Tuesday, Sept. 29 at 7 p.m.
Where: American Legion Post 125, 91 American Legion Drive, North Adams, MA
What: A discussion and book signing of “North Adams Regional Hospital: A Historical Perspective,” by Dr. Paul Donovan
In 1882, a catastrophic train accident galvanized a small group of North Adams residents to initiate the concept of a hospital, which was built with private donations and opened in March 1885, according to research by longtime North Adams Regional Hospital physician Dr. Paul Donovan. Before it closed abruptly in 2014, NARH served 37,000 residents in Northern Berkshire County, southern Vermont and eastern New York.
Dr. Donovan’s book, “North Adams Regional Hospital: A Historical Perspective,” will be featured at this Tuesday’s meeting of the North County Cares Coalition. The entire history will be told by Dr. Donovan in a three-part series. Part one covers the years 1882-1910 and concludes with major hospital reorganization in 1909-1910 due to financial difficulties. Part two will cover the years 1910 to 1955 and part three from 1955 to 2014. The second and third parts are expected to be published in 2016 and 2017.
Dr. Donovan was a physician at North Adams Regional Hospital from 1989-2014. He was previously Director of Emergency Services from 1991 to 1993 and 2000-2001, and president of the medical staff from 2008 to 2010. He specializes now in emergency and sports medicine, practicing in North Adams and Bennington, VT.
The North County Cares Coalition is an alliance of concerned residents, health and community advocates that was formed last year to restore inpatient beds at what is now the Northern Berkshire Campus of Berkshire Medical Center. We want a real hospital in Northern Berkshire County.
