Worcester Business Journal

4 Worcester Business Journal | July 28, 2025 | wbjournal.com PHOTOS | WBJ FILE BY MICA KANNER-MASCOLO WBJ Staff Writer I n an effort to enhance access to quality care, UMass Memorial Health in Worcester will merge its Marlborough Hospital with the system's flagship UMass Memorial Medical Center. e decision comes aer the Massachu- setts Public Health Council voted to ap- prove UMass Memorial Health's proposal, with UMMC taking on UMass Memorial Health – Marlborough Hospital's medical license, according to a statement emailed July 10 to WBJ by UMass Memorial Health. e merger is expected to be finalized on or around Jan. 1. "UMass Memorial Health is stead- fast in its commitment to providing high-quality, compassionate, and affordable care to patients across Central I N B R I E F New executive director "This is a special place, home to many inspirational stewards and valuable historic and natural resources. I am honored to step into this role and feel invigorated to work with community partners to promote the legacy of this region." Anya Wilczynski on dropping her interim tag and being named executive director of the Blackstone Heritage Corridor $1.05-million settlement "I am proud to announce this settlement, which will provide meaningful restitution to the Commonwealth and ensure compliance with laws that enable our state programs to serve the millions of residents who depend on them." Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell on her office's $1.05-million settlement with Millville-based Traveler's Transit, which operates in Worcester County, for alleged MassHealth fraud and breaking state and federal laws Trade show acquisition "We share a strong alignment in culture, dependability, and passion for the industry, and MYDISPLAYSOURCE brings deep expertise that will enhance our team and strengthen the service we deliver to clients." Caitlyn Correia, president and CEO of Worcester trade show manufacturer BlueHive Exhibits, on her company's acquisition of MYDISPLAYSOURCE, a Texas-based trade show exhibits and displays firm UMass Memorial Health to merge two of its hospitals Marlborough Hospital, which has been an independent facility part of the UMass Memorial Health system, will become one of four campuses of UMass Memorial Medical Center. Massachusetts and beyond. Part of this commitment includes ensuring that all communities can receive the compre- hensive preventative and specialized health care they need and deserve," UMass Memorial wrote in the email. Before the merger, UMMC operated three campuses, all in Worcester: the University campus on Lake Avenue, the Memorial campus on Belmont Street, and the Hahnemann campus on Lincoln Street. Marlborough Hospital's small size has meant it has struggled to see enough pa- tients in order to operate a wide range of hospital and specialty services, Dennis Renaud, director of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's Deter- mination of Need Program, said in an article published July 9 by State House News Service. "Consequently, patient access to services at Marlborough Hospital are impacted by the ongoing challenges in recruiting and retaining primary care and specialty care physicians needed to support an acute care hospital in the community," said Renaud. us, over the past 12 months, the hospital has reduced or cut weekend anesthesia services, general surgery, and urology, he said. "Under a single, coordinated clinical team, Marlborough patients will gain greater access to community-based specialty care and specialty consults, cutting-edge technologies, and tertiary services available through the Medical Center – keeping more care local. Ad- ditionally, we will be better positioned to manage patient care, improve health outcomes, drive quality improvement initiatives, and build a more responsive, patient-centered health care environ- ment," UMass Memorial wrote. UMass Memorial Health – Marl- borough Hospital originally joined the UMass Memorial system in 1998. Both institutions called the affiliation necessary, citing rising insurance costs and the foreseen increased competition created by Saint Vincent Hospital's new Worcester campus "We remain dedicated to working collaboratively with the state and other key stakeholders to continue our work to strengthen and stabilize health care throughout the region," UMass Memo- rial said. UMass Memorial Health's most recent merger comes aer the healthcare system finalized its corporate affiliation with UMass Memorial Health - Milford Regional Medical Center in October af- ter having been clinically affiliated with the system since 1991. W

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