ooooFiscal Year 2018 challenged every nurse, physician, ancillary and support staff throughout Milford Regional’s healthcare system to contribute fully each day towards the realization of Milford Regional’s vision of our future. In a healthcare climate where operational costs increase and reimbursements drop, we kept our focus on delivering the highest quality care through innovation, hard work and a personal commitment to the patients we serve.
ooooThe importance of vision today for a community hospital cannot be understated. As hospital mergers grab the headlines and community hospitals continue to become part of larger healthcare systems, Milford Regional has remained steadfast in our determination to keep our independent roots in the fabric of the communities we have served since 1903. As a nonprofit community hospital, we are fortunate to be guided by a board of trustees made up of key community residents who volunteer their time and talent to ensure our patients receive the very best healthcare. In addition, our medical staff continues to be the driving force that leads enhancements and advancements in the medical treatments, procedures and surgeries offered at our Medical Center and in Milford Regional Physician Group (MRPG) practices throughout our service area. Our nurses make it their mission to care for the health and wellbeing of our patients as if they are members of their own families. Plus, our ancillary and support staff provides reassurance and comfort to patients on the front line. It’s personal to all of them, as it is to everyone at Milford Regional, that we hold true to our guiding principles of providing quality services with dignity, compassion and respect. With these guiding principles as our foundation, our vision of healthcare requires that technology, services and medical know-how remain on the leading edge. This FY 2018 annual report details the efforts made throughout the year to keep the momentum going in fulfilling this vision. In my letter, I want to focus on the underpinning of our healthcare corporation that is pivotal as we move forward.
Building Momentum
ooooIn FY 2018, it was critical to our future that we sustain our vision by building momentum. Not enough can be said about the importance of our strong partnerships with four renowned healthcare institutions — Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Brigham and Women’s Hospital; UMass Memorial Healthcare and Boston Children’s Hospital. It is unusual for a community hospital to have such robust partnerships with more than one or two leading academic medical centers. I consider it a testament to the quality of our programs and personnel that four outstanding healthcare systems continue to collaborate with us on expanding services within our Medical Center. We look forward to the development of new programs and services with these leaders in healthcare over the next year and into the future.
ooooIt’s true that most good things in life take patience and perseverance. That being said, I am proud of our physicians, nurses and staff for their diligence through numerous committees and initiatives in researching, planning and proposing new and better ways to deliver quality healthcare. They understand that continuous improvement means just that…continuous effort. As the year proceeded, it was heartening to see the strengthening of teams at all levels in our resolve to improve, enhance and cultivate an environment that is forward thinking in our approach to patient care and safety.
ooooWe built momentum strategically through the investment of advanced technologies that improve patient outcomes and experience. We were one of the first in the region to acquire the next generation da Vinci Xi™ robotic surgical system, which is a calling card to some of the best robotic surgeons around who are seeking out this latest technology.
ooooFinally, we built momentum with an intense focus on physician recruitment. As we all know, hospitals are only as good as those who direct the care. Through the coordinated efforts of a newly established Physician Recruitment Committee comprised of board members, administrators, personnel and physicians from Milford Regional and MRPG, our medical staff was significantly bolstered through key recruitments of physicians in areas of need.
ooooAll that I have said here is supported in greater detail through this year’s annual report. However, what cannot always be expressed through the written word and photographs is the dedication and warmth of those who work within our healthcare system. As much as Milford Regional has a strong reputation for providing the very latest in diagnostics and treatment, we are known even more for our personalized, compassionate care. The humanity displayed daily by our physicians, nurses and staff is not something our patients take for granted; nor should we. Our vision had momentum in FY 2018 thanks to the commitment of everyone who works hard every day to make Milford Regional one of the region’s finest healthcare systems. With our team in place, I have confidence in our future. There is much to look forward to at Milford Regional in FY 2019 and for years to come.
Edward J. Kelly
President & CEO
Milford Regional Medical Center
Milford Regional 2018 Report to the Community 