Gardner, MA - October 3, 2024 – At a stakeholder briefing held on Thursday, Heywood Healthcare leadership and key community and state leaders gathered to discuss the organization’s progress and future direction. The speaking program included distinguished leaders such as Undersecretary Chris Harding of EOHHS, Jake Mastrandrea, Outreach Director for Congresswoman Lori Trahan, Senator Peter Durant, State Representative Jon Zlotnik, Steve Walsh, President of the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association (MHA), Mayor Michael Nicholson, and Chairman of the Heywood Healthcare Board, Robert Chauvin.
During the briefing, Heywood Healthcare highlighted the significant strides made since filing for Chapter 11 last October. At that time, the organization faced $51M in long-term debt obligations, over $30M in outstanding payables, necessitating drastic restructuring efforts.
Since then, the healthcare system has not only reduced long-term debt by $10M and eliminated more than $20M in prepetition obligations but also restructured numerous commitments to achieve over $11M in annual savings. Renegotiated payor agreements are set to generate an additional $16.5M in reimbursements over the next three years, allowing Heywood to reinvest in infrastructure and restore the strength of its balance sheet.
The briefing emphasized Heywood’s commitment to its community-centered culture, which continues to improve, with employee satisfaction rising for the first time in five years. The team, deeply rooted in the community, has welcomed a variety of new medical professionals, including an ENT surgeon, 7 primary care physicians, 10 advanced practice providers, and 2 psychiatric nurse practitioners, along with multiple staff, totaling nearly 100 new hires over the year, across the system.
In terms of service expansion, Heywood remains steadfast in its dedication to vital services like obstetrics and mental health, even amid ongoing workforce challenges. Investments in OB infrastructure and the restoration of the Mental Health Unit to full capacity demonstrate the organization’s commitment to providing critical care to the region.
Heywood also highlighted its deep engagement with the community through various programs, such as operating two school-based health centers and offering robust telebehavioral health service, along with a myriad of community programs designed to strengthen support for youth and families. With 30 employees delivering services outside the hospital walls, the organization continues to meet patients where they are—in schools and community spaces.
In closing, the event celebrated the successful turnaround of the organization, with Heywood Healthcare now back to net zero after years of financial challenges and declining employee engagement. This shift marks a fresh start and positions the healthcare system for growth and sustainability in the future. Continued leadership and community support will be essential to maintaining this momentum and driving future progress.
Full Video of Today's Stakeholder Briefing: Courtesy of Gardner Educational Television
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About Heywood Healthcare
Heywood Healthcare is an independent, community-owned healthcare system serving north central Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire, comprised of Heywood Hospital, a 134-bed acute care community-owned non-profit hospital in Gardner, MA; Athol Hospital, a 25-bed non-profit, Critical Access Hospital in Athol, MA; and Heywood Medical Group, with primary care physicians and specialists located throughout the region.
The organization includes eight satellite facilities in MA: Ashburnham Family Medicine in Ashburnham, Heywood Rehabilitation Center, Summit Family Medicine & Heywood Primary Care, The Winchendon Health Center & Murdock School-based Health Center in Winchendon, Tully Family Medicine and Walk-In Care Center and ACES Athol Community Elementary School Based Health Center in Athol. The organization also includes the Heywood Healthcare Charitable Foundation. For more information, visit www.heywood.org.