EEG Laboratory Earns National Accreditation

The hospital’s Electroencephalogram (EEG) Laboratory was awarded accreditation by the American Board of Registration of Electroencephalographic and Evoked Potential Technologists (ABRET). Milford Regional is the only EEG lab in Massachusetts, outside of Greater Boston, that has earned this national distinction.  

ABRET’s LAB-EEG program evaluates technical standards, laboratory policies and procedures, technologist credentialing and continued education; and audits quality from a year’s worth of test data to ensure the highest standards are being met. 

An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a painless neurodiagnostic test that measures the electrical activity of a patient’s brain, also known as a brain wave test. It is used to diagnose and evaluate a number of conditions including epilepsy, sleep disorders, brain tumors, Alzheimer’s disease, narcolepsy and comas.  

The successful five-year accreditation affirms Milford Regional’s EEG Laboratory has met strict standards and is recognized as a hospital where patients can have confidence in receiving top quality EEG testing.

Milford Regional Nationally Recognized as Center of Excellence in Surgical Safety

Milford Regional Medical Center was recognized as a Center of Excellence in Surgical Safety: Smoke Evacuation. The hospital earned the Go Clear Award from the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN) for Milford Regional’s commitment to patient and workplace safety by ensuring a smoke-free environment in the operating room. 

The Go Clear program was developed by AORN to help perioperative teams protect patients and staff from surgical smoke. AORN is a national organization which represents more than 200,000 surgical nurses across the country seeking to share and develop best practices for optimal outcomes in the operating room.

Surgical smoke is generated from certain surgical procedures involving lasers or electrosurgical devices. To reduce the potential negative effects of surgical smoke at Milford Regional, Director of Surgical Services Jennifer Larrabee and a team of individuals worked on smoke evacuation and mitigation measures.

To receive the Go Clear Award, Milford Regional had to complete several requirements over a three-year period, including educational modules by 250 surgical team members. A 12-week audit was also performed to ensure compliance of the smoke evacuation policy as well as verification that the proper equipment and filter system were in place for procedures.

Lab Celebrates “Autism Welcoming” Designation with Tour for Patients, Caregivers

Our laboratory received an “Autism Welcoming” designation from the Autism Alliance. Our lab held a one-day event for our patients with autism and their caregivers to explore the lab. The event allowed patients, families and caregivers to see meet the staff, sit in a chair and simulate a blood draw to help them be more comfortable with this important process.  Our caregivers are not only specially trained about autism, can provide our patients with autism with calming tools, practice visits such as “No Needle” events, visual support and other sensory-friendly accommodation to create an overall welcoming atmosphere.

The laboratory is the latest service line to receive an “Autism Welcoming” certification, with the Emergency Department having received a certification in 2021.

Eleventh Consecutive Award Hallmarks Stroke Care Excellence

Milford Regional Medical Center’s multidisciplinary Stroke Committee once again proved the hospital’s quality of stroke care with an eleventh consecutive “Get With The Guidelines-Stroke” Gold Plus Award from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, as well as a Massachusetts Paul Coverdell Stroke Systems of Care Collaborative Award from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The “Get With The Guidelines-Stroke” Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll, was awarded in Summer 2024, based on data from 2023. Milford Regional also received the Coverdell Award for “Door to Needle <= 60 minutes from arrival for at least 90% of stroke patients” from the state in Summer 2024 for recognizing “participants’ achievements in meeting quality of care benchmarks and participation requirements during calendar year 2023.”

In 2023 Milford Regional transitioned to IV Tenecteplase as the thrombolytic of choice for Acute ischemic stroke, which has drastically decreased the hospital’s door-to-needle times.

“The stroke team works continuously to improve stroke care for our community, said Emergency Medicine Physician Dr. Karen DeFazio, who serves as Stroke Committee Co-chair. “It’s so critical to have support to give the highest quality and timely care to all our patients. In particular for stroke care, time sensitivity and expertise are paramount. I am honored to work with the accomplished members of the stroke team.”

Once Again, Leapfrog Group Awards Highest Grade to Milford Regional

For the 13^th successive time, UMass Memorial Health – Milford Regional Medical Center has received a grade “A” from the Leapfrog Group. The fall 2024 top grade recognizes Milford Regional’s accomplishment in protecting patients from preventable harm and error while in the hospital. Since 2018, Milford Regional has consistently received the highest grade from Leapfrog. The bi-annual patient safety grades are presented to hospitals across the country in spring and fall.

Milford Regional is one of only 16 hospitals in Massachusetts to achieve the top grade, as well as the only hospital in Central Massachusetts.

Milford Regional Among Newsweek’s 10 Best Hospitals in Massachusetts

Milford Regional Medical Center was named one of the 10 Best Hospitals in Massachusetts in Newsweek’s America’s Best-in-State Hospitals ranking.

The ranking by Newsweek is based on a nationwide online survey of health care professionals, quality of care metrics, accreditation data, patient satisfaction data and results from the Patient-Reported Outcome Measures survey.

UMass Memorial Medical Center was also on the list.

My FM Recognizes Milford Regional with Gold Accolades

Milford Regional was the recipient of three gold awards from long-time community partner 101.3 WMRC-FM “MyFM.”

As part of MyFM’s 2024 “Quest for the Best” event, Milford Regional won gold in three categories including Best Hospital, Best Surgical Center and Best Charity Event.

The “Quest for the Best” contest asks listeners, followers and other area community members to cast votes for their favorite local businesses among 11 different categories including medical, activities and entertainment, education, food and beverage, home and garden, law, lifestyle and beauty, real estate, services, shopping and vehicle and services.

Milford Regional Physician Group Receives Multiple Awards for Quality, Patient Experience

For the 13th year in a row, Milford Regional Physician Group was once again named to the Harvard Pilgrim HealthCare Physician Group Honor Roll. In addition, three practices received awards from Massachusetts Health Quality Partners (MHQP) for patient experience in primary care.

Harvard Pilgrim HealthCare Honor Roll

The 2024 Honor Roll highlights 53 physician groups throughout New England that have achieved exceptional results in their approach to disease prevention and the treatment of acute and chronic illness for both adult and pediatric patients.

Harvard Pilgrim selected the Honor Roll physician groups based on clinical performance measured against NCQA’s national quality benchmarks in three domains of clinical care: acute, chronic, and preventive care. Physician groups were identified as Honor Roll practices based on performance of 15 measures, such as: appropriate treatment for children with upper respiratory infection, comprehensive diabetes care, and breast cancer screenings.

Three Milford Regional Physician Group practices received awards from

Awards were given to top overall performers in adult primary care and pediatrics in a variety of categories. Following are the MRPG practices highlighted in this year’s program and categories in which they won:

• Franklin-Wrentham Family Medicine, for “Office Staff Professional Excellence.”
• McGrath Medical Group, for “Assessment of Behavioral Health Issues.”
• Community Pediatrics of Milford, for “Most Improved for Empowering Patient Self Care.”

The MHQP Patient Experience Awards is an annual program introduced in 2018 by MHQP, a non-profit measurement and reporting organization that works to improve the quality of patient care experiences in Massachusetts. MHQP conducts the only statewide survey of patient experience in primary care in Massachusetts.

Milford Regional Named Among Most Socially Responsible Hospitals in the Nation

The Lown Institute named Milford Regional Medical Center among the most socially responsible hospitals in the nation.

The Lown Institute, an independent healthcare think tank, measured and reported on the social responsibility of more than 3,500 hospitals in the country.

Milford Regional was among five percent of hospitals nationwide to earn Honor Roll status from Lown, having received “A” grades across the top categories, including social responsibility, health equity, value of care, patient safety, community benefits, cost efficiency and patient outcomes.

Milford Regional Community Comes Out to Honor the Late Frederick J. Curley, MD

In May, nearly 60 colleagues, friends and family members came together to attend a memorial reception for the Frederick J. Curley, MD, Intensive Care Unit Conference Room, named after the late Milford Regional Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine Specialist and Medical Director of the ICU.

Dr. Curley was a pulmonary and critical care physician at UMass Memorial before beginning his career at Milford Regional in 1996. He was known for his leadership, expertise, compassionate care and foresight during his 20 years at Milford Regional, according to colleagues.

During his tenure at Milford Regional, he led the design and creation of Draper Intensive Care Unit in the Meehan Family Pavilion, as well as the adjacent rooftop tranquility garden that offers patients, families and staff a quiet place to sit outdoors and rejuvenate.

New Addiction Care Team Announced

After receiving a grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS), the hospital announced a new Milford Addiction Care Team (MACT), providing assessments, resources, counseling and recovery coaching to better care for and treat patients who suffer from alcohol dependency or substance use disorders while they are in the hospital.

Studies continue to show that interventions through a team of addiction care specialists within a hospital reduces readmission rates and increases participation in treatment.

The MACT consists of a licensed mental health counselor or social worker, recovery coaches and a program analyst. The team is managed by Milford Regional Director of Care Management Ann Wilkins, MSW, LICSW, CPUR, and reports directly to Milford Regional Manager of Behavior Health Jill MacCormack, LICSW. Joining the MACT are Substance Abuse Clinician Lisa Antonio, LMHC, and Substance Abuse Counselor/Recovery Coach Don Canova.

Milford Regional Implements Patient and Visitor Code of Conduct

In response to the growing number of acts of violence and aggressive behavior toward healthcare workers in the state and across the country, Milford Regional adopted a Patient and Visitor Code of Conduct in early 2024.

The Patient and Visitor Code of Conduct was announced in January and is intended to establish an expectation of respectful behavior from patients and visitors in order to provide for a secure, caring and inclusive atmosphere throughout the Milford Regional system.

Milford Regional’s Patient and Visitor Code of Conduct specifies that words or actions that are considered disrespectful, racist, discriminatory, hostile or harassing will not be tolerated. Examples include:

• Offensive comments about others’ race, ethnicity, accent, religion, gender, sexual orientation or other personal traits
• Refusal to see a clinician or other staff member based on these personal traits
• Aggressive or intimidating behavior, physical or verbal threats and assaults
• Sexual or vulgar words or actions
• Disrupting another patient’s care or experience

The Code of Conduct is visible throughout the Milford Regional system and can be viewed here: https://www.milfordregional.org/patients-visitors/patient-and-visitor-code-of-conduct/

Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Held for New Medway Satellite Location

Nearly 50 people attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony in celebration of the opening for Milford Regional’s newest community-based satellite location—Milford Regional in Medway. Representatives from Milford Regional Physician Group, Milford Regional Medical Center, Lobisser & Ferreira, as well as state legislators and Medway town officials were present for the March 13 event.

The 22,000 square-foot healthcare facility, located at 68A Main St. in Medway, offers adult and pediatric primary care; obstetrics and gynecology; sports medicine; urgent care; and laboratory and X-ray services. The facility provides expanded healthcare to Medway and neighboring communities.

The ceremony included remarks from Milford Regional Physician Group President Patrick McSweeney, MD, Milford Regional President Edward Kelly and Milford Regional Board Vice Chair and Building Committee Chair Brian Earley.

Renovations at Milford Rehab and Sports Medicine Bring Improved Services

An expansion to the Milford Regional Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine facility in Milford opened in 2024, providing patients with improved and expanded therapy services.

Phase one of the expansion, which renovated the former Edward M. Kennedy location at the 42 Cape Road plaza with occupational therapy, speech therapy and pediatric physical therapy, opened to the public on August 12. Phase two of the project, which renovated vacant space in the back of main clinic, had a soft opening mid-September.

The additional suite increased space from 12,000 square feet to over 15,000 square feet. The renovations bring new spaces for therapies, including dedicated space for pediatric physical therapy. A new functional rock wall and sensory swings allow for treatments of a variety of pediatric dysfunctions.

Among the improvements in the original suite are the addition of nine additional, private treatment rooms, as well as expanded and renovated space with a focus on therapies for mobility, balance and coordination.

“The expanded and renovated facility will not only meet the increasing demand for pediatric services but also improve the care we provide to our adult patients, especially in specialized areas such as sports medicine, orthopedics, vertigo, pelvic health, and lymphedema,” said Director of Rehabilitation Services Joni Brown. “With the added space and new equipment, we are able to deliver even more comprehensive and effective treatments to the community.”

Transitions in Care Clinic Helps Manage Care for Those Without Established PCP

Milford Regional Medical Center opened the Transitions in Care Clinic to better manage a patient’s health condition after leaving the hospital. Located on the fourth floor of the Hill Health Center, this clinic is specifically designed for recently discharged patients who do not currently have a primary care provider.

The clinic provides short-term, follow-up care after a hospital discharge or Emergency Room visit. Staffed by experienced physician assistants and nurse practitioners from the Hospitalist program, the goal is to educate patients about their health conditions and empower them with an individualized treatment plan to reduce their risk of returning to the hospital.

Over a maximum of three months or three visits, our clinicians will stabilize the patient,  monitor the patient’s health, review prescriptions, and recommend specialist follow-up when needed. Once the clinic appointments are complete, the patient will be assisted in finding a primary care provider.

Milford Regional Welcomes New Physicians

Brian J. Earley Named Chair of the Milford Regional Board of Trustees

Brian J. Earley of Franklin has been named Chair of the Milford Regional Board of Trustees. Brian joined Milford Regional as a Corporator in January 2020 and began serving as a member of the hospital’s Finance Committee at that time. He is the vice president and general manager of NPP Development, a Kraft Group company, headquartered in Foxborough. 

Brian succeeds Anthony Consigli.

Dr. Myers Named Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology Department

Mary Kay Myers, MD, FACOG, was named chair of the hospital’s Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, overseeing the direction of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive health throughout the Milford Regional healthcare system.

Myers has more than 25 years of experience practicing in her specialty. Before joining the staff of Milford Regional, Myers primarily practiced at St. Vincent Hospital and performed surgery at UMass Memorial. Prior to that, she served as a clinician and partner of the Valley OB/GYN practice in Ridgewood, New Jersey.

Myers expertise also spans across other areas in the field, including her training and usage of the daVinci robotic surgical system for minimally invasive gynecological surgeries. 

Myers succeeded Leonard DiGiovanni, MD, who announced he would be stepping down as Obstetrics and Gynecology Department chair after serving in the role for six years.