Dellea named Southern Berkshire Business Person of the Year

GREAT BARRINGTON – This year’s Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year goes to a man that is more known for how he gives back than how he makes his money.

Eugene A. Dellea, president of Fairview Hospital, will be given the honor this year at a cocktail reception and tribute on Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 5:30 p.m. at the Norman Rockwell Museum.

“Gene has been very active in several community and civic organizations for many years, in addition to his extensive years of committed service, guidance and leadership at not only Fairview Hospital, but the entire Berkshire Health Systems,” said Pat Seward, chamber president.

According to the chamber, Mr. Dellea was nominated for and won the business person of the year award based on the following criteria: personal qualities, managerial skills and contribution to the southern Berkshires.

“I cannot think of anyone more deserving than Gene to be honored as business person of the year,” said State Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli. “He has lead his life, not looking for or needing any public accolades, but has done so much for so many to help make The Berkshires so special.

“Under his leadership at Fairview Hospital, Gene has been a steady hand in South Berkshire being a leader in health care and innovation. As my closest personal friend in life Gene has been a mentor to me and someone that I aspire to be like.”

Southern Berkshire Chamber Vice President Rich Aldrich said this honor fits with Fairview Hospital celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

“It has been the fulfillment of Gene’s vision of providing high quality patient care in a small community hospital that has given residents and visitors confidence that they have access to excellent care,” he said.

Mr. Dellea’s position as president of Hillcrest and Fairview has brought him in contact with many accreditation and regulatory agencies, as well as working with state and local legislators in the shaping of health care legislation.

“I am honored to be [the] 2013 person of the year, and I accept it on behalf of my colleagues at Fairview Hospital, where we celebrate 100 years of caring in 2013,” Mr. Dellea said. “Every day, for over a century, we have had individuals committed not only to serving our patients, but to building a better hospital on which this community can depend.

“Similarly, the Southern Berkshire Chamber represents a central energy that has moved the southwest corner of Massachusetts into one of the most dynamic rural communities anywhere.”

Active in many civic organizations, Mr. Dellea is currently the president of the Berkshire Community College Foundation and serves on the American Hospital Association’s Government Relations Committee as well as the Governor’s Regional Competitiveness Council.

He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Central Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, the Central Berkshire County Development Corporation, Berkshire County Regional Employment Board and Hillcrest Educational Centers. Mr. Dellea is president of both the Hillcrest Hospital Foundation and Salisbury Estates and is current co-chair of Berkshire United Way’s Leadership Division.

Posted by Kameron Z. Spaulding on July 18, 2013. Filed under Community News,News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry