We are so happy to meet you!
Julia Keosaian, MPH
Executive Director
I came to Berkshire Nursing Families first as a client — a new mother who had just moved to the Berkshires — but even with a master's in public health and a career in healthcare research, I had rarely seen this kind of care delivered so thoughtfully at the community level. The combination of clinical expertise, genuine warmth, and commitment to reaching every family, regardless of income, language, or background, is something special. It's why I am committed to ensuring BNF's continued presence in Berkshire County for the families who need it most.
What we do is clear at its heart: we make sure no family in Berkshire County has to navigate pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood alone. Our team brings real clinical expertise and real warmth to every visit, every hotline call, every playgroup. And with a public health lens guiding our work, we're always asking how we can reach more families, more equitably, across all of Berkshire County.
I'm proud of this organization and excited about what's ahead. Whether you're a family looking for support or someone who wants to be part of this work, I hope you'll reach out. We'd love to hear from you.
— Julia, Executive Director
Devin
Administrative
Amber, CBS
Clinical
April, IBCLC, PMH-C
Clinical
Celeste, CLC
Clinical
Christine
Administrative
Isabel, CLC
Clinical
Ash
Administrative
Alana
Administrative
Luiza
Administrative
Danielle Dohaney
Board Chair
BNF has been part of my life for longer than I've served on its board. As a parent who has raised children in this community, I know firsthand how much it matters to have someone knowledgeable and caring in your corner during those early, uncertain days — something I know not every family has. BNF exists to change that.
What strikes me most, having seen this organization from the inside, is the depth of impact a focused, dedicated team can have. For over 25 years, BNF has been reaching families across Berkshire County. All of it completely free, with no eligibility requirements and no one turned away. In a rural region that kind of sustained commitment is extraordinary.
I'm proud to stand behind an organization this well-run, this mission-driven, and this deeply rooted in our community.
— Danielle, Board Chair
How it all started…
Since 1998, we’ve helped over 10,000 families in Berkshire County, MA navigate becoming a parent and feeding babies. Our founder, Rosalie Girard, began BNF with the goal of helping newborns thrive and supporting our community.
Rosalie believed that lactation and parenting support should available to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. She worked hard to secure grant funding and donations to make sure that all families have access to BNF’s amazing services.
Rosalie retired after 20 years serving the Berkshire County community and we work everyday to continue her mission with passion and a commitment to maternal and child health.