Berkshire Health Systems is proud to share patients across the county have expanded access to comprehensive surgical services— at Fairview Hospital, Berkshire Medical Center (BMC) and the Crane Center for Ambulatory Surgery, and North Adams Regional Hospital (NARH). While there are numerous surgical professionals providing care, four new general surgeons have more recently joined BHS, diagnosing and treating a wide range of conditions, primarily focusing on the abdomen, breast, skin, and endocrine system and treating appendicitis, gallstones, hernias, and other areas, while also specializing at times in vascular and thoracic care.     

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Mark A. Taylor, II, MD

I was initially hesitant about practicing in a small community, but I am struck by how strongly the community rallies around Fairview. It’s unlike anything I have experienced elsewhere. Caring for patients in a close-knit community makes the work far more meaningful.

Brett Matthews, DO

We are lucky to have such a strong surgical team that performs a wide array of techniques to help care for our patients, who do not have to travel to larger cities for their care,” he said. “A strong patient and physician relationship is critical. I always strive to ensure my patients have appropriate understanding of their disease, treatment options, and provide reasonable expectations for optimal outcomes.

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Marguerite Ballou, MD

I focus on arterial disease, including blockages and aneurysms, providing both minimally invasive and open procedures for abdominal aneurysm repair and carotid intervention. In 2026 we are starting a trans carotid artery program, allowing me to stent the carotid artery under direct access to the vessel, a technique that has replaced more traditional carotid stenting.

Adam Bowling, DO

I am from a small town in Maryland very similar to the Berkshires, and my practice is entirely patient driven. The patient and I decide on an individualized plan with their best interests in mind. I want our patients to know that we are deeply committed to providing excellent surgical care, countywide. We continually work to improve our practices and technology, with state-of-the-art care.

Mark Taylor, II, MD joined Fairview Hospital in 2022, after spending much of his life in large cities. Dr. Taylor provides a range of services, including colonoscopy, upper endoscopy, robotic and laparoscopic surgery, hernia and gallbladder surgery, and emergency procedures like appendectomy, skin cancer lesion removal, among others.  

Brett Matthews, DO joined North Adams Regional Hospital in 2025. He cares for patients in need of general surgery and endoscopy services, and he began his career in the Berkshires, as a surgical resident at BMC.  

Marguerite Ballou, MD recently joined BMC as a vascular and general surgeon and provides a number of highly specialized procedures. Dr. Ballou is from a small town in Virginia and can easily relate to life in the Berkshires. “I grew up playing in the mountains, and it’s still my favorite thing to do in my free time. I am also an artist, and the combination of such vivid outdoor experiences with a vibrant arts community made the Berkshires a perfect fit for me.”

Adam Bowling, DO a general and bariatric weight loss surgeon at BMC, also trained as a resident here. He provides a broad range of surgical care, including upper endoscopy, colon and rectal surgery, and robotic and minimally invasive surgical techniques. Coming from a smaller community himself, Dr. Bowling said he has a lot of familiarity with the Berkshires and its lifestyles.