Fiscal Year 2016 was a year of transition. It was ushered in with the opening of our new, impressive 78,000 square foot addition that alleviated congestion in the emergency department, upgraded the technologies and space in our intensive care unit and provided greater privacy for patients with new private patient rooms. This much-needed expansion to our campus was welcomed by our physicians, nurses, staff, and most importantly, our patients and community. Visitors from medical centers in Boston and Worcester marveled at the high-tech/high-touch elements carried throughout the building. As the year proceeded, it was made clear by the quality of care delivered in this new, state-of-the-art facility and the response from our patients that the decision to build was the right one.

However, with a building project of this size and magnitude, growing pains can be expected. Anticipated growth through expansion takes time and even the best projections are not always met. In addition, reimbursement levels and expenses can also impact the bottom line. While our volume did increase in FY 2016, it was not enough to offset our expenses. At year’s end, our healthcare system faced a sizable loss.

Tackling the FY 2016 deficit and creating a balanced budget for FY 2017 was a challenge; but it was a challenge well met by the Milford Regional team — our employees, physicians, trustees and volunteers. We solicited their input and the feedback we received was invaluable. It took everyone pulling together to get us facing the right direction.

I am asked at times what makes Milford Regional Healthcare System so special and unique…it’s made up of a dedicated team of people who will weather the storm with you and help steady the boat. At the same time, these remarkable individuals never lose sight of their primary focus — the health and well-being of our patients. This year’s Annual Report is a testament to their drive in delivering patient-centered care that goes above and beyond. The bar was set higher in FY 2016 through compassionate, uplifting programs that address the needs of the whole person; the assurance that Milford Regional continues to lead with the most up-to-date diagnostic technologies around; and a growing physician base that accommodates our growing communities.

Looking forward, I am excited about the future of Milford Regional Healthcare System. Our success as a healthcare organization has always hinged upon responding to the community’s needs and providing programs that serve them best. The recent opening of the Meehan Family Pavilion is a great example of the Medical Center’s determination to do what is necessary to ensure quality care. Over this next fiscal year, Milford Regional and Tri-County Medical Associates are partnering to open three new urgent care centers in Hopkinton, Northbridge and Milford. Residents with non-emergent illnesses will now have access to same-day treatment by our team of highly qualified physicians and advanced practitioners when their doctor is not available.

From primary care to urgent care to emergency and acute hospital care, Milford Regional Healthcare System is continually seeking ways to enhance the care we provide. As a community hospital, our ties to the community are strong. We are governed by an outstanding Board of Trustees that are community leaders who serve with your best interest at heart. We are known for a culture of compassionate caring that resonates in the daily interactions of our physicians, nurses, staff and volunteers with each other and our patients. When you consider the quality and character of the people that make up Milford Regional, it’s easy to see why our future looks bright. Ultimately, we’re all about you — your health and well-being — and you can be assured that we will never lose sight of our mission to provide exceptional healthcare services to our community with dignity, compassion and respect.

Edward J. Kelly
President & Chief Executive Officer
Milford Regional Medical Center, Inc.

Your Care Begins With an Accurate Diagnosis

Your team at Milford Regional recognizes that, after essential preventive care, your health is predicated on one thing- an accurate diagnosis when symptoms appear. For that reason, in 2016 we invested in the very latest diagnostic equipment to ensure you receive the best treatment plan based upon an accurate and timely diagnosis. Milford Regional’s strong reputation as one of the region’s leaders in providing tested, state-of-the-art diagnostic technology to our community was cemented once more through these valuable investments.

Digital Radiology System

Milford Regional acquired a wireless, state-of-the-art digital radiology system in 2016, with a portable imaging plate that processes better images with a lower dose of radiation, at a much faster speed than previous equipment. There are now four digital radiology units in the Milford Regional system: one is portable; one resides in Milford Regional’s diagnostic imaging area; the third is located at Milford Regional in the Blackstone Valley in Northbridge; and the last is found at our new urgent care center in Hopkinton. Milford Regional’s portable radiology unit provides convenient, expedited X-ray services right at the patient’s bedside.

Two New MRI Units

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a test that uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to make pictures of organs and structures inside the body. In many cases, MRI gives different information about structures in the body than can be seen with an X-ray, ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) scan.

1.5T MRI
In mid-March, the Medical Center replaced an MRI with a 1.5T MRI in the diagnostic imaging department. The unit has a larger bore (70 cm) making it more comfortable for patients – particularly if they are obese or claustrophobic. It produces superior quality images and reduces scan time. It also provides improved patient positioning and is quieter than the previous unit.

3T MRI
Milford Regional also installed one of the area’s first 3T MRI scanners. Located in The Cancer Center at Milford Regional, this advanced MRI features technology that provides exceptional image quality and a design that is more comfortable for patients. With a magnet strength of 3 Tesla (3T), this new scanner offers the strongest magnet field strength used clinically today.

This technology is able to provide minute details of the musculoskeletal system and neurological system, as well as cartilage, arteries, veins and breasts. With twice the strength of the machine it replaced, the new MRI is able to produce far more detailed images with better clarity. One example of how this superior MRI is valuable can be seen in a knee scan, where images of the cartilage and meniscus can now be seen that were never available before. Images of the brain and spinal cord are also dramatically improved, allowing for detection of such things as plaque and lesions, key to diagnosing certain medical conditions like multiple sclerosis. The three-dimensional imaging has improved evaluation and detection of old strokes and previous brain trauma that a less powerful magnet could not detect. In addition, certain cancers can be seen earlier with this type of advanced imaging.

Interventional Radiology Technology

Interventional radiology is a medical sub-specialty of radiology utilizing minimally invasive image-guided procedures to diagnose and treat diseases in nearly every organ system.

This past year, Milford Regional also installed brand new interventional radiology equipment in the diagnostic imaging department. This cutting-edge multipurpose unit places Milford Regional’s Special Procedure Room among the best in the country. This new system offers exceptional image quality, lower radiation, increased image storage capabilities and the ability to better position patients. The interventional radiology equipment is used to view vasculature throughout the body using contrast. In addition to diagnostics, PICC lines are inserted, joint injections are administered and evaluations on kidney and bladder function are conducted here.

CT Scanner

Computed tomography (CT) of the body uses special X-ray equipment to help detect a variety of diseases and conditions. In emergency cases, it can reveal internal injuries and bleeding quickly enough to help save lives.

Along with a new 64-slice CT Scanner in the emergency department, new I-dose software was installed on all three hospital units and in the Cancer Center in 2016. I-dose reduces the amount of radiation used for the scan without compromising the superior quality of the images.

Excellent Care is Centered Around the Patient

More than a decade ago, The Institute of Medicine (IOM) defined patient-centered care as “providing care that is respectful of and responsive to individual patient preferences, needs and values and ensuring that patient values guide all clinical decisions.” As a community-led institution guided by a mission that has been dedicated to treating patients with dignity and respect for more than a century, it  should be no surprise that Milford Regional continues to introduce unique programs that have a patient-centered focus and philosophy. We are proud to highlight several new programs during the past year that exemplify Milford Regional’s hallmark of people caring for people.

Elder Wellness Program

This past year, Milford Regional’s Elder Wellness Program hit its stride after being piloted in one area in 2014 and introduced throughout the hospital in 2015. Designed to prevent a decline in mental and physical abilities often seen in older adults when their daily routines are disrupted during hospitalization, the Elder Wellness Program is modeled after the Hospital Elder Life Program at Yale New Haven Medical Center and is coordinated through the Volunteer Services Department.

Patients over the age of 70 are assessed for possible triggers of delirium by the nursing staff. Eligible patients are then referred to elder wellness specialists from Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, who then determine a specific plan for each patient and make a referral for an Elder Wellness volunteer. These trained volunteers are pre-med students, nurses and nursing students, gap year students and physical and occupational therapy students, as well as retired nurses, social workers and others experienced in caring for elderly family members. They visit elderly patients a few times a day to make sure they are mentally and physically active during their hospital stay by providing companionship, playing games, assisting at mealtimes, leading range-of-motion exercises and other therapeutic activities.

Between January 2015 and June 2016, 895 patients were enrolled in the program and received 1,958 elder wellness visits, improving their health and wellbeing upon discharge.

Baby Steps: Serving Substance-Exposed Infants and Their Families

Opioid use in pregnant women has escalated dramatically, resulting in a corresponding rise in the number of newborn infants who develop severe signs of opioid withdrawal. Infants with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) have higher rates of neonatal complications and prolonged lengths of hospital stay. Extended hospitalizations are a serious burden on fragile families and can interfere with ongoing maternal treatment for substance abuse disorders.

In 2015, Milford Regional became one of 110 medical centers around the country to enroll in a national quality improvement collaborative sponsored by Vermont Oxford Network. This collaborative, titled INICQ 2015: A Universal Training Solution Improving Outcomes for Infants and Families Affected by Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), was dedicated to improving the quality, safety and value of care for substance-exposed infants and their families. As a result, the Milford Regional team implemented Baby Steps, a new program to help prepare families to care for their newborn that has been exposed to medications, drugs or alcohol.

As of 2016, Milford Regional had successfully trained 40 interdisciplinary healthcare providers representing 100% of their team which includes maternity nurses, obstetrician/gynecologists and pediatricians. This effort, which not only addressed a serious community need, but also surpassed the Vermont Oxford recommendation of training 85% of healthcare providers, earned Milford Regional the designation of 2016 Center of Excellence in NAS Care.

The Snuggle Squad

Armed with love and compassion, The Snuggle Squad was formed in May 2016 as a group of highly trained volunteers who comfort and soothe newborns in Milford Regional’s Maternity Center. There are currently 12 trained volunteer “snugglers” who are thoroughly screened, vetted and trained, including seven nurses and two former teachers. The role of the Snuggle Squad is to provide support to new babies – and their families. Their role is particularly important in assisting babies with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, and new mothers recovering from a difficult birth.

Under the direction of a registered nurse, members of the Snuggle Squad hold, cuddle, rock and sing to the baby while listening to gentle music in the mother’s room; bottle feed the baby, change diapers as trained, connect mothers of newborns to the resources they need, and perform other tasks to support mom and baby.

Fourth Consecutive ‘A’ Grade for Patient Safety

In another testimony to Milford Regional’s dedication to patient-centered care, the Medical Center received an ‘A’ grade for patient safety from the April 2016 Hospital Safety Score by the Leapfrog Group, a national patient safety watchdog. This ranked Milford Regional as one of the safest hospitals in the United States. The Medical Center has received four consecutive A grades for safety since 2013. Developed under the guidance of Leapfrog’s Blue Ribbon Expert Panel, the Hospital Safety Score uses 30 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign A, B, C, D and F grades to more than 2,500 U.S. hospitals twice per year. It is calculated by top patient safety experts, peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public.

Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award

Milford Regional is pleased to have once again received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines^®-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award. The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment and success in ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence. To receive the Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award, hospitals must achieve 85 percent or higher adherence to all Get With The Guidelines-Stroke achievement indicators for two or more consecutive 12-month periods and achieved 75 percent or higher compliance with five of eight Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Quality measures.

Milford Regional has also met specific guidelines as a Primary Stroke Center featuring a comprehensive system for rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients admitted to the emergency department.

Quality Physicians Dedicated to Your Health and Wellness

The health of a community depends on the expertise, care and compassion of quality physicians. Milford Regional’s medical staff is built upon this framework. We are fortunate to have access to some of the region’s finest medical talent through our teaching program with the University of Massachusetts Medical School. In addition, our reputation as a strong, vibrant healthcare system continues to attract notable healthcare professionals from across the country, as well as prominent physicians through our collaborations with several of New England’s most renowned medical institutions. Milford Regional is pleased to share the news of our quality physicians in 2016.

Milford Regional Welcomes New Physicians

Milford Regional Top Doctors Recognized Nationally

Seven exceptional Milford Regional physicians were recognized by Castle Connolly as “Top Doctors” in 2016. Since 1991, Castle Connolly has been identifying the nation’s best doctors and hospitals in every part of the country and in every medical specialty. The rankings are based on peer nominations and professional assessments by a physician-led research team. Castle Connolly’s Top Doctors are rigorously selected from among the total population of 700,100 physicians in practice in the United States. Each year the Castle Connolly research team receives over 150,000 nominations from physicians nominating those they believe to be among the best in their regions and throughout the nation. The intensive research methodology is designed to identify doctors that will speed patients’ healing, minimize pain and discomfort, shorten recovery periods and enhance and lengthen lives.

Milford Regional is pleased to share the list of physicians on our Medical Staff who received this honor

PICTURED LEFT TO RIGHT:  Jeffrey Steinberg, MD, FACS – Urology • Carl F. Schanbacher, MD – Dermatology • Tatiana I. Lingos, MD – Radiation Oncology • Ciaran J. McNamee, MD – Thoracic Surgery • Frederick J. Curley, MD – Pulmonary Disease • Albert A. Crimaldi, MD, PhD, FACG – Gastroenterology • Stuart A. Dunbar, MD – Pain Medicine

Tri-County Medical Associates

Tri-County Medical Associates (TCMA) is the physicians practice group of Milford Regional Medical Center. We are pleased to share their updates and accomplishments in 2016, as a vital part of  Milford Regional Healthcare System.

Strength in Leadership

In September 2016, Dr. Patrick McSweeney was recognized by Partners HealthCare with the prestigious Primary Care Leadership Award for Clinical Excellence. Physicians from across the Partners network are nominated for the award and the recipient is selected by network leadership. Dr. McSweeney has cared for patients as a Family Medicine physician with Tri-County Medical Associates’ (TCMA) since 2000 and served as TCMA’s Medical Director for 12 years before resigning from the position in the fall of 2016. His leadership has been instrumental to TCMA’s success.

Dr. Elizabeth Siraco was named Medical Director of TCMA as Dr. McSweeney’s successor. Dr. Siraco has practiced Family Medicine with TCMA for over 19 years and served in a number of leadership positions in both Milford Regional and TCMA. Her experience, knowledge and commitment to patient care will ensure a seamless transition to her new role as Medical Director.

Welcoming New Providers

TCMA bolstered women’s health in 2016 with the addition of two new providers. Dr. Mary Kay Myers joined Caring for Women in January 2016 as a board certified obstetrician/ gynecologist. Her expertise in performing gynecologic robotic surgery at Milford Regional is a benefit to women throughout the area.  TCMA obstetrician/gynecologist Beata Kereszti, MD, also welcomed Julie Jutras, RN, WHNP-BC to Partners in Women’s Health. She is a board certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner with previous experience at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston and Saints Medical Center in Lowell.

TCMA also enhanced primary care access with the arrival of  Family Medicine physician Chantal Dewey, MD, and Med-Peds physician Stacey Beberman, MD. Dr. Dewey received master degrees in medical sciences and public health/epidemiology from Boston University. She joined Blackstone Valley Family Physicians in Northbridge. Dr. Beberman is board certified in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. She joined Dr. David Carlson at Hopkinton Internal Medicine & Pediatrics where they treat patients of all ages.

Awards and Recognitions

Patient-Centered Medical Homes – A Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) is the primary care physician’s team caring for patients in a “whole person approach,” proactively managing their care and reminding them about important health screenings. Four TCMA primary care sites were recognized this year by National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as a PCMH: Blackstone Valley Family Physicians, Franklin Family Practice, Hopkinton Family Practice and McGrath Medical Group. These sites join Family Medicine Associates who received PCMH certification in 2015. Primary Care offices are evaluated on an extensive set of criteria in order to obtain this certification.

Community Support – Franklin Pediatric & Adolescent Care and Hopkinton Family Practice were awarded Reader’s Choice Regional Gold Awards in 2016, the highest honor provided through Community Newspaper Company’s annual award. A number of other sites and individual physicians also received recognition.

Harvard Pilgrim Honor Roll – TCMA was named to the Harvard Pilgrim Honor Roll in 2016. Harvard Pilgrim selects Honor Roll practices based on their points earned on 15 quality measures across three domains of clinical care affecting both adult and pediatric patients: acute, chronic and preventative care. TCMA was one of only 17 physician groups in the state that were awarded the respected “With Distinction” status, identifying that the physician group exceeded the national 90^th percentile on all domains used in the evaluation.

High Marks from MHQP – In 2016, TCMA was rated highly by patients in the Massachusetts Health Quality Partners (MHQP) annual patient experience survey. 95% of adult patients and 99% of pediatric patients report that they would be willing to recommend their TCMA physician to family and friends, a true testament to the positive experiences they have at TCMA sites.

Building to Meet Patient Needs

In May, TCMA opened an impressive, new site in Northbridge, which houses Whitinsville Pediatrics and Blackstone Valley OB/GYN. In June, Hopkinton Internal Medicine & Pediatrics moved their location to a new facility at 1 Lumber Street in Hopkinton.

Milford Regional Medical Center, Inc.
2016 Board of Trustees

OFFICERS

Robert L. Kilroy  Chairman
John J. Burns  Vice Chairman
John E. Brabazon  Treasurer
Laura A. Mann, Esq.  Clerk
Edward J. Kelly  President and Chief Executive Officer
Jeanne P. Lynskey  Chief Financial Officer

BOARD MEMBERS

Barbara A. Auger; Loriann N. Baranauskas; Vascen J. Bogigian; William G. Burrill;
Richard J. Daly, MD; Paul E. Darcy, MD; Jeffrey B. Hopkins, MD; Robert F. Littleton, Jr.; William G. Muller, MD; Beverly A. Swymer and Delia M. Vetter

TRUSTEES EMERITUS

Nancy F. Gannett; William B. Gannett; John A. Rauth and The Honorable Francis J. Larkin

Tri-County Medical Associates, Inc.
2016 Board of Trustees

OFFICERS

Kevin P. Meehan  Chairman
William G. Burrill  Clerk
Edward J. Kelly  Chief Executive Officer
Philip J. Ciaramicoli  President

BOARD MEMBERS

Jeffrey B. Hopkins, MD; Robert L. Kilroy; Tina M. Robakiewicz, MD;
Elizabeth T. Siraco, MD and Monica S. Woodward, MD

Milford Regional Healthcare Foundation, Inc.
2016 Board of Trustees

OFFICERS

David M. Price  Chairman
Andrew L. Salmon  Vice Chairman
Edward J. Kelly  President and Chief Executive Officer
Jeanne P. Lynskey  Treasurer
Stephanie Forsythe  Clerk
Emily J. Quinn  Vice President of Philanthropy and Executive Director

BOARD MEMBERS

Vascen J. Bogigian; Christina W. Brabazon; Mary C. Burke, MD; William G. Burrill; Arthur G. Caputo; Michael G. Carroll; Matthew C. Clark; Alberto A. Correia; Robert P. DeVita; John R. Ferrari; Paul F. Fitzgerald; Christopher Foley; Robert L. Kilroy; Laura A. Mann, Esq.; William G. Muller, MD; John Peters III and Lynn W. Tokarczyk

This annual report is a publication of the Milford Regional Public Relations, Marketing and Communications Department.

Terri L. McDonald
Vice President of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications

Kathy A. Marceau
Marketing and Website Coordinator

Glenn Perry and Morin’s Studio
Photography

The McCoy Group
Copy & Design