MILFORD REGIONAL HOLDS IN-PERSON ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CORPORATION
Milford Regional and UMass Memorial Corporate Affiliation Update and Discussion was Focus of Year in Review
Milford, Mass.—Milford Regional Medical Center, Inc. held its Annual Meeting of the Corporation on January 22. Approximately 100 people attended the meeting, which was held in-person for the first time since 2020. In addition to the hospital’s Year in Review, Milford Regional President and CEO Edward J. Kelly and UMass Memorial Health President and CEO Eric W. Dickson, MD, discussed the potential corporate affiliation between the two healthcare systems.
Board of Trustees update
Milford Regional Medical Center and Milford Regional Physician Group Board of Trustees Chair Anthony M. Consigli (Consigli Construction) called the meeting to order and provided opening remarks.
“This is a challenging time for the entire healthcare industry, but I am optimistic about Milford Regional’s future and having such dedicated Board members to assist the leadership of the hospital is critical,” said Consigli.
Consigli then acknowledged the 2024 Board of Trustees officers: Vice Chair Brian J. Earley (NPP Development/Kraft Group), Clerk Denise H. Brookhouse (Koopman Lumber Company), and Treasurer Gordon A. Lewis III (Altman and Company).
The newest members of the Board were then announced: Gerald “Lee” Gaudette III (Gaudette Insurance), Barbara “Joyce” Gilmore (retired RN/Milford Regional Golf Classic Chair), and Andrew R. Willment, MD (Hopkinton Internal Medicine and Pediatrics).
Year in Review
Kelly reflected on Milford Regional’s Year in Review, acknowledging the hospital’s 120th anniversary and the new satellite location in Medway opening in spring, while also recognizing continued staffing challenges, high patient acuity and volume and financial impacts.
“There were so many challenges Milford Regional faced over 2023, but what hasn’t changed is our focus on providing the best patient care to our communities,” he said.
Despite substantial challenges endured by the healthcare industry, Kelly highlighted the multiple accolades the hospital received over the last year, including Top Teaching Hospital and the 11th consecutive “A” Grade for patient safety from the Leapfrog Group. Milford Regional also received a five-star ranking from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and was named to Becker’s Hospital Review for 2023 Great Community Hospital’s list.
Kelly also acknowledged the support the hospital continued to receive from the community, including raising a recording-breaking $1.2 million at the Mélange Gala and Live Auction, held in November.
New medical leadership roles effective October 2023 were recognized during the Annual Meeting. Chief of Neurology Eliezer J. Sternberg, MD, was named Department of Medicine Chair. Sternberg succeeds Chief of Infectious Diseases Michael C. Newstein, MD, PhD. Also, Chief of Gastroenterology Albert A. Crimaldi, MD, PhD, was named Medical Staff President. succeeding Pediatric Department Chair Jeanne M. McCoy, MD.
Kelly also called attention to Newstein’s work throughout the pandemic, recognizing him as an unsung hero of COVID-19. “His work was so instrumental to the hospital,” said Kelly. “He made himself available 24/7 and we hung on every word he said during it all.” Newstein then received a standing ovation from attendees.
Corporate affiliation: right time, right partner, right deal
Kelly then addressed the potential corporate affiliation between Milford Regional and UMass Memorial Health, explaining that at the forefront of the decision was the hospital’s consecutive financial losses over the last five years.
Kelly laid out the implications of not proceeding with the affiliation. He noted that nationally the healthcare industry is experiencing unprecedented losses, and locally a number of Massachusetts hospitals are struggling financially and may have to significantly alter the services they provide to stay afloat. Therefore, he affirmed, it was the right time for Milford Regional to affiliate with a partner.
Based on the long-standing relationship between the two healthcare systems, UMass Memorial Health is the right partner to affiliate with, explained Kelly. He elaborated that the right deal with UMass is best for Milford Regional employees and Milford Regional Physician Group practices and medical staff. It also strengthens Milford Regional’s relationship with three other academic medical centers and continues the representation of the Board of Trustees while also integrating its members to UMass boards.
“The end result will provide Milford Regional a path for continued success that will include additional resources and future expansions,” Kelly said. “This is the best option for our community.”
Dickson, as a guest speaker, began his remarks reflecting on his history with Milford Regional, including completing an emergency medicine residency here, and as a doctor, working with several then-residents who were in the audience that evening. He expressed his admiration for Milford Regional noting it has “the feel of a community hospital as soon as you walk in the door.”
Dickson spoke of the future of medicine, medical advancements and technology predicting significant changes within the industry over the next five years. He stated the potential corporate affiliation will help Milford Regional continue to sustain the highest healthcare standards for its patients now and in the future.
UMass Memorial Health and Milford Regional signed an affiliation agreement earlier this month and are currently seeking regulatory approval for the affiliation.
“My promise is to preserve all the things that make Milford Regional special,” said Dickson.
Kelly and Dickson then fielded attendees’ questions together.
Also, as part of Kelly’s Year in Review, he asked Milford Regional Physician Group President Patrick R. McSweeney, MD, to discuss the newest satellite location in Medway that will provide adult and pediatric services, OB/GYN, lab and radiology, and urgent care. The new 22,000-square-foot facility is scheduled to open in the spring.
Consigli adjourned the meeting after announcing that Milford Regional’s Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Report is available online. To view Milford Regional’s Medical Center’s 2023 Report to the Community: Bridging Our Legacy with a Promising Future, visit annualreport-milfordregional.org.
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Milford Regional Medical Center is a full-service, community and regional teaching hospital located in Milford, Mass. and serves patients from more than 20 towns in Central Massachusetts. The 148-bed medical center is a nonprofit, acute-care facility, where more than 300 primary care and specialty physicians are committed to providing exceptional healthcare services to our community with dignity, compassion and respect.
Photo Caption: Milford Regional Medical Center, Inc. held its Annual Meeting of the Corporation on January 22. Pictured L to R are: Milford Regional Medical Center and Milford Regional Physician Group Board of Trustees Chair Anthony M. Consigli, UMass Memorial Health President and CEO Eric W. Dickson, MD, Milford Regional President and CEO Edward J. Kelly, and Milford Regional Physician Group President Patrick R. McSweeney, MD.
