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Heywood Hospital gets $150K for new equipment

March 19, 2026

Heywood Hospital gets $150K for new equipment

Staff reports
The Gardner News
March 19, 2026, 4:47 a.m. ET
 
Heywood Hospital will receive $150,000 from the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts to purchase new ultrasound equipment.

The investment is intended to improve diagnostic capabilities and reduce wait times for patients, according to a community announcement.

Diagnostic ultrasound is a crucial tool in medicine, allowing doctors to evaluate conditions affecting the heart, abdomen, and blood vessels. The new equipment will modernize Heywood Hospital's imaging technology, expand the range of imaging services available to patients in Gardner and surrounding communities.

"This grant is transformative for our patients and our community. With modern ultrasound technology, we can deliver faster, more accurate diagnoses right here in Gardner, so patients spend less time waiting and more time healing." — Rozanna Penney, President & CEO, Heywood Healthcare

From left to right: April George, Nick Forostoski, John Bujak, Robin Davies, Rozanna Penney, Shane Doherty, Dr. Andrea Damour, Sharon Dodge, Rhonda Zbikowski, Selena Johnson, Meghan Maceiko, Steve Adams
 

Improving access to healthcare

For many residents in north central Massachusetts, Heywood Hospital is the closest and most accessible source of comprehensive medical care. The Community Foundation recognizes the importance of community hospitals and aims to equip them with modern technology to meet the evolving needs of the population.

The grant is part of the Community Foundation's broader strategy to invest in the health and resilience of the region. The new ultrasound equipment will benefit patients who might otherwise face barriers to accessing imaging services at larger, more distant facilities, according to the announcement. In an area where transportation and economic challenges can limit access to healthcare, having advanced diagnostic capabilities available locally can make a significant difference in patient outcomes.

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The new equipment is expected to be operational later this year.

This story was created by Kimberly Green, [email protected], with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more atcm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.