Milford Regional Annual Meeting:  A Celebration of Progress and Commitment

Milford Regional Medical Center recently held its annual meeting, celebrating a year of expansion and transition, and honoring the memory of a colleague dedicated to helping patients in need. More than 400 people – including Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and local area legislators – attended the Jan. 25 meeting held at the Double Tree in Milford.

“The year 2015 will go down as an important, successful year at Milford Regional Medical Center,” says Edward J. Kelly, president and CEO of Milford Regional. In October, the $52 million expansion project, named the Meehan Family Pavilion, was completed.  Ed credits local businessman Kevin Meehan, and his wife Patty, for challenging and encouraging the hospital to broaden its vision to build a facility that addressed all the hospital’s needs.

The year was also marked by the retirements of long-serving administrators who helped make the hospital the top-notch facility it is today.  Nancy Tomaso, VP of patient care services and chief nursing officer, retired after 41 years of dedicated service to Milford Regional. Nancy began her career as a nurse, and held many significant leadership roles in various departments during her tenure.

The evening also included a tribute to Frank Saba, who retired as CEO in December after 27 years. Frank was hailed as a visionary who reformed the community hospital and led by example to create a culture of caring, compassion and respect.

As important as the leadership transition was, so too was the transition into the new facility. The Meehan Family Pavilion offers medical staff state-of-the-art technology to diagnose and treat patients; and for patients, the facility provides a comfortable place for treatment and healing. Mark C. Skiba, MD, president of the medical staff, spoke of how the larger new facility demonstrates the hospital’s commitment to patient care and is a source of pride for the medical staff.

 The hospital also recognized the work of its social workers – a compassionate team that assists not only patients, but the hospital staff in times of crisis. Last month, the social workers faced a tragedy in their own department with the sudden death of Karen Evers following an accident two days before Christmas. Karen was dedicated to helping patients in need, often providing money from her own pocket to assist them. In honor of Karen, Milford Regional has established The Karen Evers Social Work Fund, a fund that will be managed by the hospital’s social workers to help needy patients with care and treatment.  The Milford Regional medical staff announced it has donated $5,000 to kick-start the fund.

As part of the meeting, six corporators were elected: Mark A. Abate of Hopkinton, Marilyn G. Alling of Upton, Steven C. Cunningham of Upton, Ed Hurley of Franklin, Judy P. Lynch of Uxbridge and Jill Smith of Walpole.

(Pictured left to right) Rep. John Fernandes, Rep. Jeff Roy, Frank Saba, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and Sen. Ryan Fattman.