Proceeds will establish the Worcester Health Equity Fund

Worcester, Mass – UMass Memorial Health is in the process of making a $1 million donation to the City of Worcester to help establish the Worcester Health Equity Fund. Through a signed health equity services agreement, UMass Memorial Health is providing the funding to support City of Worcester initiatives aimed at improving health equity and reducing health disparities among its residents.  A five-member  Health Equity Advisory Group, with three members appointed by the City of Worcester and  two by UMass Memorial Health, will oversee the fund and manage the program.

“In order to be an agent for change in this region we recognize that we have to expand the work we do beyond the walls of our great hospitals and clinical offices,” said Eric Dickson, MD, president and CEO of UMass Memorial Health. “This donation and the establishment of a health equity fund continues the work we started a few years ago when we established our anchor mission program. The City of Worcester and the people here have been great partners. We are committed to advancing our work to improve the health and well-being of the community while working hard to minimize the social determinants of health that persist as barriers to underserved populations. Throughout the pandemic, the City of Worcester and UMass Memorial Health have partnered to  address pressing health problems, including increased access to care and improving health equity. With this new program and donation, that work continues.”

“We appreciate and thank UMass Memorial Health for their contribution and support of our efforts to reduce health inequities and ensure health care access for all residents,” City Manager, Edward M. Augustus, Jr. said. “The Worcester Health Equity Fund will help us fulfill our mission of creating a healthier Worcester.” 

Under the agreement, The City of Worcester will disburse $200,000 annually into the fund over the next five years.

UMass Memorial Health

UMass Memorial Health is the largest not-for-profit health care system in Central Massachusetts with more than 16,500 employees and 2,100 physicians, many of whom are members of UMass Memorial Medical Group and Harrington Physician Services. We are the clinical partner of the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Our comprehensive system includes UMass Memorial Medical Center, UMass Memorial Health – Harrington, UMass Memorial Health – HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital, UMass Memorial Health – Marlborough Hospital, and UMass Memorial Health – Community Healthlink. Together, we impact every aspect of life in the region by making health and wellness services available to everyone, advocating for social equality and providing economic stability and opportunity. There are many ways to heal. We pursue them all. Relentlessly. Visit www.ummhealth.org.