UMass Memorial Health – Milford Regional Community Benefits Program
Community Benefits Programs
Community Benefits Programs
The team at UMass Memorial Health – Milford Regional is dedicated to improving community health, promoting wellness and eliminating health disparities throughout our service area. We focus on several areas of concern affecting our community:
- Health outcomes
- Access to health care
- Mental health awareness
- Food insecurity
Our Programs
We partner with local organizations to engage with people in our community. Through educational programming and outreach initiatives, we help children and adults improve their physical and emotional wellness.
Youth mental health webinars
Our team sponsors a series of networking events and webinars called “Opening Doors to Address Youth Mental Health.” Designed for parents, the series covers issues that commonly affect young people in our area. Professional speakers share tips and advice while providing resources to attendees. Topics include information on how to:
- Access home-based mental health services
- Recognize the early signs of ADHD, depression and anxiety
- Support LGBTQ+ youth
Continuing education class for caregivers
Milford Regional collaborated with Cornerstone of Milford Assisted Living and Memory Care to present a free continuing education class for caregivers of older adults. The class, called “The Dementia Experience,” provided a glimpse into the lives of people living with dementia.
The class began with a presentation, and then participants completed a series of tasks that affected their ability to walk and hear. The class helped participants experience some common issues associated with dementia so they can better understand the challenges of living with the disease.
Supporting people experiencing homelessness
Through a partnership with the Greater Milford Community Health Network (CHNA 6), our team created “Hope for the Homeless in Our Community” business-sized cards. The cards were distributed to public safety officials and social workers, as well as people who work with migrant families and those experiencing homelessness. We encouraged them to share the card with anyone who might benefit from available services.
The card contains a QR code that directs people to a website. The website includes multiple resources within the Franklin, Milford and Blackstone Valley communities with information about:
- Food pantries and food assistance organizations
- Homeless shelters and housing services
- Social services, medical care and mental health support
Our team also wrote an advertorial on the rising rates of homelessness in the state. The article, called “Actually, Homelessness Does Exist in Your Backyard,” included a Q&A with Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance Executive Director Leah Bradley. It ran in five local newspapers to increase awareness of a growing concern for everyone in the community.
Reducing ER wait times and improving access to care
Milford Regional Chief Medical Officer Peter Smulowitz, MD, MPH, was interviewed on MyFM 101.3 to discuss surges and fluctuations in emergency room visits. Dr. Smulowitz shared information about when to visit the ER versus urgent care and when it’s best to see one’s primary care physician. The goal of the interview was to reduce ER wait times and help people get the most appropriate care for their needs.
Free access to sunscreen
Milford Regional partnered with IMPACT Melanoma and the Town of Milford to provide free sunscreen to members of our community. Our team distributed sunscreen at local pools and summer camps. We also educated patrons about how to prevent skin cancer.
Community Health Needs Assessment
At Milford Regional, we worked with CHNA 6 to identify areas of the greatest need in our community. These include preventing disease, making health care more convenient and increasing access to mental health services.
View the 2024 Community Health Needs Assessment.
Community Health Improvement Plan
Our Community Health Improvement Plan focuses on reducing gaps in care, helping people get nutritious food on a regular basis. It also identified homelessness as a major area of concern for the region.
View the 2022-2024 Community Health Improvement Plan.
Community Benefits Strategic Implementation Plan
Working with CHNA 6, we developed a plan to address concerns affecting the health of our community. Our plan includes strategies to:
- Decrease food insecurity and help people access social services
- Increase the number of health care providers in the area
- Offer preventive health care and wellness screenings to more people
- Reduce substance use and improve mental health care across the region
View the 2024 Community Benefits Strategic Implementation Plan.
The UMass Memorial Health Community Benefits Report
The UMass Memorial Health Community Benefits Report highlights the work we do every day to improve the well-being of people in our region. This report includes information about the Community Benefits programs at Milford Regional as well as all the other hospitals in the system.
As a united team with a shared vision, we combine our efforts to have the greatest impact on the lives of people in our community. We are passionate about enhancing the wellness of everyone in our region.
View the 2023 UMass Memorial Health Community Benefits Report.
We Welcome Your Feedback
We want to provide programs and services that make a meaningful difference in the lives of the people we serve. We welcome your input on the Community Health Needs Assessment and the Community Benefits Strategic Implementation Plan. If you have comments or questions, please email MICHELLE.SANFORD@umassmemorial.org.
If you’re interested in viewing archived reports, you can find them below.
2021 Community Health Needs Assessment and Community Benefits Strategic Implementation Plan
2018 Community Health Needs Assessment and Community Benefits Strategic Implementation Plan