Uxbridge Times Uxbridge Times

Milford Regional considers affiliation with UMass Health

Milford regional Medical Center and Milford regional Physician Group and UMass Memorial Health, with the approval of their respective Boards of Trustees, have announced the signing of a non-binding Letter of Intent that will allow the organizations to explore a potential corporate affiliation.

Given the current healthcare landscape, it has become increasingly challenging for Milford regional to maintain its status as an independent community hospital without considering significant programmatic changes. Also, the lasting impacts of the pandemic and sustained financial losses have inhibited its ability to act on necessary growth and expansion.

“Building on the foundation of our outstanding team, high quality care, mature physician network and our supportive community, a future corporate affiliation with UMass Memorial Health would make it possible for us to move forward with necessary and strategic expansion, among other mutually beneficial opportunities, to continue to meet the growing needs of our community, locally,” said Milford regional President and Chief Executive Officer Edward J. Kelly. A full-service, community and regional teaching hospital, Milford regional is a 148-bed, nonprofit, acute care facility serving a region of 20-plus towns with more than 300 primary care and specialty physicians. MrMC has a long history of investing in community health needs; in 2015, it opened a 78,000 square-foot building that houses a new emergency department, intensive care unit and private patient rooms.

UMass Memorial Health and Milford regional have enjoyed a strong collaboration since 1991 when Milford regional Medical Center became the first hospital to clinically affiliate with

UMass Memorial Medical Center.

Since then, many additional clinical and educational programs have been created with UMass Memorial Health to bolster the level of care offered to the Greater Milford community.

“Milford regional is committed to a path forward that maintains the high quality and wide-reaching health care services that we provide our community. Our financial and strategic analysis shows that the best way to do so is to corporately affiliate with a like-minded organization that shares our commitment to community health. UMass Memorial Health is both a valued current partner and an organization that shares our values,” said Kelly.

“Milford regional has an outstanding reputation as a provider of high-quality health care for its community,” said UMass Memorial Health President and Chief Executive Officer Eric W. Dickson, MD. “This proposed corporate affiliation will improve access to health care services for patients across Central Massachusetts. We look forward to continuing our discussions and are confident we can reach agreement in a way that meets shared goals and supports the continued success of Milford regional.”

“We are honored to have a chance to create a stronger affiliation with such a great organization,” said UMass Memorial Community Hospitals President Douglas Brown. “Milford not only provides great clinical care, but it also takes seriously its commitment to the community. We are excited by the prospect of helping to deepen that commitment, particularly as it relates to addressing social determinants of health.”

According to these leaders, the two organizations will now move forward to conduct further due diligence and seek to reach agreement on a potential corporate affiliation that meets key goals.

It is said that sometimes you have to travel far to discover the treasures in your own back yard. This year the merchants of Whitinsville and Northbridge invite you to explore the hidden treasures found locally in your own backyard through their Shop Small 01588 Passport Event.

For one day, Saturday, November 25th several local businesses are planning a shoppers delight for you and your friends to explore, experience, and enjoy. To participate, pick up a Shop Small 01588 Passport at any of the participating businesses located throughout Whitinsville and Northbridge. Plan your visits to these businesses to get your passport stamped at each location. Enjoy in house specials and sales prepared especially for the Passport Shoppers. When you have 7 or more stamps on your passport, fill in the contact information found on the back of your passport and you’ll be eligible to enter to win a grand gift basket filled with goods donated by the participating shops. Deliver your completed passport by December 2nd to our drop box location located inside Schotanus Design Center, 83 Church Street, Whitinsville.

So what will you discover this holiday season as you travel locally? Perhaps a new membership for your fitness journey from Whitin Community Center, Driven Self Defense, or Blue Zone Integrated Fitness. Perhaps lessons from The Family Karate Center. Maybe it’s time to spruce up your home with help from Schotanus Design Center or Koopman Lumber. Is it time to freshen up your wardrobe? Look no further than Katalina’s Boutique or Furiends Gourmet Pet treats. Get crafty with classes from Barbara Connors Art Glass Studio or The Crafty Nest DIY. Find the perfect gift for you or your family at Little Man Handbags, Gifts + Accessories, LuLu’s Jewelry + Gifts or

The Flower Shop. Look for a new car with services from Harbro Sales & Service. And don’t forget to prepare your table with wonderful food made fresh from The Green Plate.

Enter the Shop Smal Coloring Contest for your chance to win great prizes! 1st, 2nd, 3rd place prizes awarded in two age categories: ages 4-6 & ages 710. Pick up your coloring page and entry form at all participating merchants. Entries may be mailed or hand delivered to: Whitin Community Center (front desk) 60 Main St., Whitinsville, MA 01588. All entries must be received by November 20th to be qualified for award. Winning entries chosen by people's choice ballot. Visit the community center to cast your ballot. Special thanks to our sponsors for this event: UniBank and Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce. Please visit our Shop Small 01588 Facebook Page for more information.

National nonprofit Wreaths Across America (WAA) announced that St. Mary’s Cemetery in Uxbridge will be joining in the mission to remember, honor, teach, as an official location for 2023. This is the first year that the cemetery will participate in this national program.

Wreaths Across America started as a gesture of thanks that has grown into a national, yearlong movement of dedicated volunteers and communities working together to remember the nation’s fallen, honor their service, and to teach the next generation about the value of freedom.

This year, there will be more than 3,900 participating locations in the United States and abroad placing veterans’ wreaths on National Wreaths

Across America Day, Sat., Dec. 16th. The ceremony will begin at noon with the placement of wreaths after.

The goal for St. Mary’s Cemetery is to raise enough funds to place 1,000 sponsored veterans’ wreaths on the headstones of all the local heroes laid to rest there.

Location coordinator and Veteran Janice Neitz has volunteered in other areas of WAA since 2020, and wanted to bring the mission to the community to ensure that the individuals who served to protect the freedoms of our country never be forgotten and to bring the community together. St. Mary’s Cemetery was the first to respond in the affirmative to participate in December.

Neitz wants to add additional locations in the next year to help ensure that every veteran gets honored for their sacrifice.