By Lily Goldberg
Photos by Gillian Jones-Heck
In 1975, physician Dr. Thomas Whitfield noticed a gap in healthcare for the area’s rural, isolated families—and he took action. He founded Children’s Health Program, with a mission to provide care to those children and support to their parents. Five decades later, CHP Berkshires (now Community Health Program) has nine practice locations providing medical, dental, and nutrition services for adults as well as children. Operating as one of the nation’s Federally Qualified Healthcare Centers, CHP Berkshires cares for more than 30,000 patients each year. “From its earliest days, CHP has approached healthcare differently, with a wide lens that looks beyond the exam room,” said Bethany Kieley, its Chief Executive Officer. Here are just a few of the programs that set CHP apart.
Family Services
Family services, including play groups, were part of the founding mission of CHP Berkshires. A half-century later, the organization still offers a robust range of programs and services for children and families in Berkshire County, including fresh food distribution, referrals for housing, free diapers, and school readiness mentorship programs.
Mobile Care
Two CHP mobile health vans traverse the county, making stops to offer checkups, vaccines, urgent care services, and more. CHP’s mobile health program has leveled up in the decades since the organization’s founding—when Dr. Whitfield began the mobile health program, he drove a station wagon.
Group Health
No one should go through life alone—and for some medical patients, sharing common experiences in a group medical setting can be a road to healing. CHP offers patients the option to engage in group health visits covering areas like postpartum care and mindfulness.
Size Inclusive Care
People in larger bodies often experience weight stigma—assumptions that others, including healthcare providers, make about their lifestyle, eating habits, or overall health. CHP’s Size Inclusive Care team is trained to provide a supportive healthcare environment for all.
