Harrington HealthCare System today formally launched a fundraising campaign to rebuild the Emergency Department at its Webster campus, Harrington HealthCare at Hubbard. The $8.8 million Strengthening Our Future campaign will enable Harrington HealthCare at Hubbard to continue to deliver the highest quality care to its patients.
Harrington HealthCare System CEO Edward H. Moore announced at a Strengthening Our Future kick-off ceremony at Harrington HealthCare at Hubbard today that Harrington has a $4 million anonymous challenge match from a local donor. The campaign also has received an additional $434,500 in donations and pledges from local individuals, businesses and five financial institutions -- Webster Five Foundation, Savers Bank, Southbridge Savings Bank, Hometown Bank, and a grant from TD Bank which will partially fund donor management software. Combined with the anonymous match, the total amount pledged comes to $869,000.
The event was attended by residents, Harrington employees and local, state and federal officials, including Congressman Richard Neal, State Senator Richard Moore, and State Representatives Kevin Kuros and Ryan Fattman.
"We have been extremely gratified by the generosity of both the businesses and the individuals in this community during our initial silent phase of the campaign," Harrington CEO Edward H. Moore said. "Since 1929, this site has been the focal point of healthcare for individuals, institutions and businesses in Webster, Dudley, Douglas, Oxford, Thompson and surrounding communities. Meeting our campaign goals will ensure that those who live and work in this region will continue to receive state-of-the-art healthcare, close to home, for many years to come."
"This Emergency Department has always been an essential piece of the Webster community," said Terri Colognesi, Chairman of the Board of Harrington HealthCare System. "The opportunity to expand and renovate the ER into a bright, modern ER facility with board-certified ER docs is one that is a winning proposal for Webster and its surrounding communities. It is a commitment by Harrington HealthCare for Total Local Care in South Central Worcester County – and only means good things for the area's citizens, schools and employers."
Harrington has received donations or commitments from every member of the Hubbard Health Systems Board of Directors, said Pamela Zouranjian Connor, Site Administrator at Harrington HealthCare at Hubbard. Harrington has a 10-year renewable lease on the land and the facility at 340 Thompson Road in Webster, which is owned by Hubbard Health Systems.
"The Emergency Department at Harrington HealthCare at Hubbard is a key component of healthcare in this region," said Zouranjian Connor. "The Emergency Department currently handles 12,000 visits per year, a number that is expected to grow to approximately 15,000 in the next three years. In order to continue to meet the healthcare needs of this community, we must expand and modernize this facility."
"As a longtime advocate of Harrington Hospital, I am very pleased to be a part of this important fund-raising campaign," said Congressman Richard E. Neal. "Not only does it represent Harrington's continuing investment in the community, but is another example of their commitment to bring quality and emergency care to South County. I congratulate CEO Ed Moore and the entire team at Harrington HealthCare System on today's announcement, and I look forward to being an enthusiastic supporter of the campaign."
"In an emergency, seconds count! There can be no higher health priority than providing the people of the Webster area with a first-class emergency hospital department to support the skilled emergency professionals who serve us and care for us and our loved ones at critical moments in our lives," said State Senator Richard T. Moore, who is the State Senate Chairman of the Committee on Health Care Financing.