Worcester Business Journal

4 Worcester Business Journal | May 25, 2020 | wbjournal.com P O W E R 5 0 H E A L T H & E D U C A T I O N Since joining Kelleher & Sadowsky in 1985, Jim Umphrey has helped build our firm's reputation year after year by truly putting our clients' interests first. Along the way, he has earned the distinction of being one of the most respected commercial real estate experts in the Worcester region. Congratulations, Jim! We're so proud to have you lead our team. James G. Umphrey - 2020 WBJ Power 50 Recipient 120 Front Street, Suite 210 Worcester | 508-755-0707 | Kelleher-Sadowsky.com Eric W. Dickson, MD, MHCM, FACEP PRESIDENT & CEO UMASS MEMORIAL HEALTH CARE, WORCESTER Residence: Princeton Colleges: Merrimack College, UMass Medical School & Harvard University Long before Dickson took on the task of leading a 13,000-employee hospital system through the coronavirus pandemic – and managed a related field hospital at the DCU Center in Worcester – UMass Memorial Health Care's president and CEO proved himself up to difficult jobs. When he took over as the system's leader in 2013, he quickly sold Wing Memorial Hospital and Medical Centers in Palmer, and he and his leadership team cut executive and other costs to turn the system's budget around. Just before the coronavirus pandemic hit, Dickson made another big play, reaching an agreement in January to bring the 142-bed Harrington Hospital in Southbridge and affiliated medical offices under UMass' umbrella. As for the pandemic, UMass Memorial quickly tightened visitor policies, postponed elective procedures and moved around intensive care beds to be able to have dedicated units for coronavirus patients. During the peak of the virus, the UMass system had more than 230 coronavirus patients at its hospitals, with dozens in intensive care. Dickson has also led in another way: In early April, he and his wife, Cathy, an emergency medicine physician, said they'd donate their paychecks to a UMass employees fund for as long as Massachusetts is in a state of emergency. What makes Central Mass. unique? The partnership between the private sector and the public sector is very strong in our region. That has been the case for many years, but this pandemic has shown a bright light on just how strong we all are together. The fact that UMass Memorial Health Care could partner with the City of Worcester and the Commonwealth to stand up a 220-bed field hospital at the DCU Center in just eight days is phenomenal! We were able to do it because we all had the same common goal: To save as many lives in Central Massachusetts as possible. Giddyup: I also train horses and work with several horse rescue organizations across the state. Kola A. Akindele ASSISTANT VICE CHANCELLOR FOR CITY & COMMUNITY RELATIONS UMASS MEDICAL SCHOOL, WORCESTER Rev. Philip L. Boroughs, S.J. PRESIDENT COLLEGE OF THE HOLY CROSS, WORCESTER Residence: Dudley Colleges: Quinnipiac University, UMass Boston, Northeastern University & UMass Lowell Since UMMS was founded nearly 50 years ago, it has been a generator of healthcare professionals, medical research, and biomedical companies. Akindele, though, ensures the 6,000-employee, $1-billion organization contributes in other ways. He is the connection between the school and the community, developing relationships with government and community institutions, leverag- ing UMMS expertise and resources for the community. Collaborations include an effort with the Mass. Division of Public Health to improve community health, and the North Quadrant Support Services initiative with Worces- ter Public Schools. Through NQSS, the medical school addresses barriers to learning by providing access to food pantries, backpacks stocked with supplies, laundry facilities for students, and mini-grants to teachers. What makes Central Mass. unique? The willingness of people and institutions across sectors to come together to solve a problem positions us for success, as evi- denced by the response to the coronavirus pandemic. Cutting the grass: I love to watch obscure sporting events like lawn mower racing and corn hole tourna- ments, among others, on ESPN. Residence: Worcester Colleges: Gonzaga University, Jesuit School of Theology (Chicago) & Graduate Theological Union (Berkeley, Calif.) Holy Cross has always had a commanding presence in Worcester, and not just because of its location atop Mount St. James. But the 177-year-old school hasn't rested on past success, expanding with modern facilities. The $30-million Joanne Chouinard-Luth Recreation and Well- ness Center is rising for recreation. The $107-million Prior Performing Arts Center will include a 400-seat concert hall. Boroughs, president since 2012, has been a master fundraiser, as the school's endowment ballooned close to $800 million heading into the 2018-19 school year and the college wraps up a $400-million fundraising campaign in June. Leading a college is about more than fundraising. Boroughs ditched the school's old Crusader logo after an uproar, and has kept Worcester as a priority, annually providing $3 million in scholarships to city students. What makes Central Mass. unique? We welcome immi- grants into our community who bring their rich cultures, cuisine, music and diverse entrepreneurial skills. International man of mystery: Born in Canada and raised in the United States, I am a dual citizen. In addition to regular exercise, for escape I enjoy reading historical biographies and international murder mysteries. Michelle Jones-Johnson VICE PRESIDENT FOR TALENT & INCLUSION AND CHIEF DIVERSITY OFFICER WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE Colleges: Syracuse University, University of Phoenix & University of Michigan Knowing talent is dispersed equally throughout the population but opportunity isn't, since coming to WPI Jones-Johnson has focused on attracting, developing, and retaining talent distinguishing WPI in the competitive marketplace, striving to position the college as talent rich and talent ready and poised for the future with a capable and sustainable workforce. Outside of WPI, she has made a variety of outreach community efforts, including serving on the Governor's Task Force on Hate Crimes, the City of Worcester Urban Renewal Plan Citizens Advisory Com- mittee and the boards for Greater Worcester Community Foundation, Reliant Medical Group Foundation, The Hanover Theatre, Girls Inc., and YWCA Central Mass. What makes Central Mass. unique? People care and see themselves as integral to Worcester's overall success. Quite the moonlighting gig: For more than 20 years, I have served as a wedding planner. I love getting to know each couple and meeting their families. It's wonderful to hear the stories of their journey, offer guidance to calm a few jittery nerves, locate a runaway bride or groom (a very rare occurrence, and it all worked out in the end), and handle all the insanity behind the scenes!

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