About

About Berkshire AHEC

Berkshire AHEC is part of the MassAHEC Network, a statewide system sponsored by the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and a member of the National AHEC Organization. More than 220 AHECs in the United States, including six in Massachusetts, support underserved communities in improving health by helping to recruit, train, and retain a diverse health workforce.

Founded in 1979, Berkshire AHEC supports the health and human services workforce with continuing education programs by providing continuing education credits for nurses, social workers, mental health professionals, and others. Our Medical Interpreter Program is designed to facilitate and enhance the communications between patient and provider during a healthcare encounter. Our public health initiatives work in partnership with other organizations to promote health and use policy, systems, and environmental strategies to address critical health issues.

Located in Dalton, Massachusetts, Berkshire AHEC is a tax-exempt 501 (c) 3 organization overseen by a Board of Directors. Berkshire AHEC is certified by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office as a W/NPO, a women-run non-profit organization. Major funding is provided by the United States Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the University of Massachusetts Medical School, and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Who we are

Our Board of Directors

[Co-President]

Whitney Smith, RDH, MSDH

[Co-President]

Katrina Mattson, MPH

[Treasurer]

Sharon Harrison

[Clerk]

Charles Wohl, MD, FACP

Michele Darroch, DPT
Patrick Borek
Lori Moon, BS, AS
Ex-Officio: Gena DiSimoni Johnson
Ex-Officio: Sheila Dargie
Ex-Officio: Linda Cragin

Meet the Experts

Gena DiSimoni Johnson

Executive Director

[email protected]

Sheila Dargie

Center Director

[email protected]

Silvana Kirby

Director of Medical Interpreting Training Program

[email protected]

Carrol Patin

Director of Education 

[email protected]

Joyce Brewer

TFCP Program Director

[email protected]

Holly Bruno

Operations Assistant

[email protected]