The Health Foundation of Central Mass

8 Chapter 1: The Early Years e concept took time to develop and had its roots in a nonprofit physician-led health maintenance organization (HMO), Central Massachusetts Health Care, Inc. (CMHC). Known for its innovation and deep ties to the community, CMHC was launched by Worcester physicians. One of these physicians was Dr. Wayne Glazier who returned to Worcester, where he had grown up, in 1980 aer completing his training at Yale New Haven Hospital. He joined Fallon Community Health Plan for two years before becoming independent. en, he became interested in the fledgling CMHC and joined its board. "is was an option for patients to join an HMO and maintain a relationship with independent doctors in the commu- nity," he said. Patients embraced the opportunity to maintain their relationships with independent doctors in the community. "We wanted to continue giv- ing care and were con- cerned about choice, the number one key driving force," Dr. Glazier said. CMHC ensured that patients had access to their doctor of choice. Over the next 20 years, CMHC thrived, growing its patient and physician base. But, as the healthcare landscape began to change in the early 1990s, the Board of Di- rectors was concerned about the organiza- tion's longevity. When CMHC was created, few HMOs existed. In time, other HMOs showed an interest in securing a foothold in Central Massachusetts. To remain viable, the Board of Directors believed that the orga- nization needed a larger partner with additional funding and a greater scope. CMHC's board considered its options. Should they merge with Tus or another health care provider? Should they collaborate with a hospital? Should they allow the organization to be purchased by a for-profit? No matter what route they took, the end goal was to preserve freedom of choice for patients and doctors. Dr. Rudolf Utzschneider, CMHC board chair in 1989, proposed the idea of a "conversion" foundation, a type of char- itable organization created when a non- profit health care entity, such as a hospital or health plan, is sold or transitions to a for-profit business. "It was obvious we could solidify our legacy by forming a healthcare foundation to serve patients," said Dr. Glazier. e Board of Directors talked with about 20 local and national companies. One potential suitor shared a similar organizational structure and mission: New Hampshire-based Healthsource. CMHC's directors met with Dr. Nor- man Payson, Healthsource's co-founder, and knew they had found a match. In September 1996, Healthsource purchased CMHC for $45 million, and CMHC changed its name to the Central Massachu- setts Corporation (CMC) to reflect its new status. e money from the sale to Health- source would be used to create e Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts. "We could have easily merged with Blue Cross/Blue Shield. ey would have been happy to do so, but then there would be no foundation," said Dr. Glazier. Although the decision to sell CMHC took place in late 1995, e Health Foun- In 1998, The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts introduced a dynamic concept to the Worcester County community: residents of the region would benefit from a nonprofit organization that funded a variety of projects related to the social determinants of health, providing advantages to a wider population. From Health Plan to Foundation Dr. Wayne Glazier Dr. Rudolf Utzschneider

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