Milford Regional continues to enhance treatments through technological and medical advances for everything from cancer care and stroke to bariatric surgery and cardiac care. Our partnerships with highly-regarded healthcare systems in both Boston and Worcester provide patients access to many state-of-the-art services here on our Milford campus that would otherwise require travel into the city.
Each year, the Medical Center is recognized for its dedication to excellence in diagnosis and treatment of various conditions and diseases. We are proud of the advancements we are able to offer to the community and the national recognition we have received confirms our efforts align with our culture of excellence.
……………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………..
The Cancer Center Celebrates Ten-Year Anniversary
In January 2018, Dana-Farber/ Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center at Milford Regional celebrated its ten-year anniversary. Over the past decade, the community has benefited greatly from Milford Regional’s partnership with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. The collaboration comprises Dana-Farber overseeing medical oncology; Brigham and Women’s managing radiation oncology; and Milford Regional providing diagnostic imaging and laboratory testing. The relationship has brought world-renowned cancer care to our region. Patient volume continues to grow as new providers and services expand.
Celebrating The Cancer Center’s Ten-Year Anniversary, pictured (left to right): Craig Bunnell, MD, CMO, Dana-Farber; Anne Gross, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, senior VP for patient care services and CNO, Dana-Farber; Gerard Walsh, executive director, department of radiation oncology, Brigham and Women’s; Peter F. Orio, III, DO, MS, vice chair of network operations and medical director, DF/BWCC department of radiation oncology; Ed Kelly, president & CEO, Milford Regional; and Michael Constantine, MD, medical director, Dana-Farber at Milford Regional.
………………………………………………………………………
New Linear Accelerator Added to the Cancer Center
In September, Brigham and Women’s added a second linear accelerator to the Cancer Center at Milford Regional to meet increasing demand for radiation therapy. The Varian TrueBeam® linear accelerator is one of the most advanced cancer treatment systems in the region, providing pinpoint accuracy to radiate tumors while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. With the TrueBeam, the Cancer Center is the first and only center in the MetroWest area to offer a frameless, open facemask for patients receiving stereotactic radiosurgery, as opposed to the skull-bolted frame used elsewhere.
With the installation of this new equipment, there are now two advanced linear accelerators available to treat patients in the Milford area, which allows greater scheduling flexibility for patients to be treated locally at their convenience. The TrueBeam system can treat cancer anywhere in the body, including lung, breast, liver, pancreas, prostate, spine and bone, or brain metastases. The new linear accelerator allows the Cancer Center to provide patients with the option of receiving stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and a broader range of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) closer to home. Previously, patients had to travel to Boston to receive these treatments. SRS is a minimally-invasive, non-surgical therapy for small metastatic tumors of the brain involving the use of a single high-dose of radiation delivered with pinpoint accuracy to the tumor with treatments being delivered in one to five sessions.
………………………………………………………………………
Elevated Accreditation and National Distinction for Weight Loss Surgery Program
Milford Regional’s Center for Weight Loss Surgery met all criteria required by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program to achieve a Comprehensive Center accreditation in 2018. This elevates the program from a Low Acuity designation to that of a Comprehensive Center. As an accredited program, Milford Regional’s Center for Weight Loss Surgery ensures patients receive a multidisciplinary program, not just a surgical procedure, which improves patient outcomes and long-term success. The accredited center offers preoperative and postoperative care designed specifically for severely obese patients.
oooIn addition, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts recognized Milford Regional Medical Center as a Blue Distinction® Center for Bariatric Surgery. Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated health care facilities that show expertise in delivering improved patient safety and better health outcomes. Milford Regional’s Fresh Start weight loss surgery program includes a team of professionals, including bariatric surgeons, nurse practitioners, dietitians, behavioral health counselors and physical therapists, all committed to walking with patients through the weight loss journey. To receive a Blue Distinction Center for Bariatric Surgery designation, a health care facility must demonstrate success in meeting patient safety measures as well as bariatric-specific quality measures, including complication and readmission rate for laparoscopic procedures in sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass and adjustable gastric band. To earn this distinction, a healthcare facility must also be nationally accredited at both the facility and bariatric program-specific levels.
……………………………………………………………………….
Ten Years of Excellence in Stroke Treatment
Highlighting another decade-long commitment, Milford Regional received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award for the tenth year. The award recognizes the Medical Center’s commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence. Milford Regional earned the award once again by meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients at a set level for a designated period. These measures include evaluation of the proper use of medications and other stroke treatments aligned with the most up-to-date, evidence-based guidelines with the goal of speeding recovery and reducing death and disability for stroke patients. Before discharge, patients should also receive education on managing their health, get a follow-up visit scheduled, as well as other care transition interventions. Milford Regional is proud to be recognized as a Primary Stroke Center by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the American Heart Association.
Pictured (left to right): Milford Regional’s Stroke Committee members: Liz Renzi, ED educator; Joe Currier, MD, physician chair from the ED; Anna Wholley, stroke coordinator; Karen Kmetz, director of inpatient services; Deirdre Kathman, MD, pulmonologist/intensivist; Maria DaSilva, ED director; Mike Newstein, MD, chair, department of medicine.
Milford Regional 2018 Report to the Community 