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Community Benefits Impact in 2025
In 2025, through targeted Community Benefits programs, our hospitals focused on the most urgent issues in their areas and developed creative public health solutions. Teams worked closely with community partners and local organizations across Central Massachusetts — filling refrigerators, opening free care clinics, educating residents, and guiding families through health care enrollment.
Rooted in equity and compassion, these connections are shaping a healthier future for the communities we serve.
Harrington Hospital
Harrington Community Benefits and Outreach team completed its triennial Community Health Needs Assessment. The team kept two Bridge Fridge and Community Closet sites running and supported residents at health screenings, educational seminars, and resource fairs. These programs provided immediate resources through education and outreach while continuing to build relationships to plan for future work.
HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital
HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital’s Community Benefits Department responded swiftly to the Nashoba Regional Medical Center closure this year by supporting access to care, transportation and addressing social drivers in the region. The team partnered with nonprofits to strengthen the local food system and supported the launch of a new free care clinic in Fitchburg. Through funding, infrastructure and leadership in regional transportation, they advanced health education and access. Grant-funded initiatives — from behavioral health to playgrounds — also came to life, and leadership remains engaged across community boards.
Marlborough Hospital
The Marlborough Hospital Community Benefits department expanded community partnerships and addressed local needs through wellness fairs, healthy aging education, Narcan training, and the establishment of a Little Free Library. The team organized school supply drives, supported food insecurity efforts, donated to Fresh Start Furniture Bank, and helped families enroll in MassHealth and Commonwealth Connector to increase health care access for vulnerable residents in Marlborough and Hudson.
Medical Center
The Medical Center’s Ronald McDonald Care Mobile brought medical services to refugee and migrant families throughout Central Massachusetts, especially when emergency shelters closed. A Community of Practice was established with organizations funded through our North Pavilion Determination of Need grants, fostering collective learning and problem- solving. An International Overdose Awareness Day event honored lives lost and provided prevention and treatment resources to attendees.
Milford Regional
Early in the year, Milford Regional leaders finalized a strategic implementation plan to address health priorities identified in the 2024 Community Health Needs Assessment — specifically mental health, food insecurity and access to care. The Community Benefits Committee partnered with Cornerstone of Milford for “The Dementia Experience,” expanded a free sunscreen program and sponsored a forum with local food pantry leaders. In addition, leadership participated in a radio interview to explain when using emergency care was appropriate. This effort aims to ease pressure on emergency department wait times and improve access to care in our region.
Looking Ahead
In 2025, all UMass Memorial Community Benefits programs increased access to care, created stronger local partnerships, and expanded resources that improved health and quality of life across the region.
In the coming year, we will continue to invest in programs that reduce barriers to care and advance health equity. We also plan to align some initiatives across our hospitals’ Community Benefits programs, focusing on similar topics but with different specifics depending on the needs of each community. We remain dedicated to forging partnerships, addressing health disparities and creating opportunities for healthier lives throughout Central Massachusetts and beyond. •
