Gardner, MA - [May 29, 2024] - Heywood Healthcare
On October 1, 2023, the Heywood Healthcare system filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the bankruptcy code. This deliberate and strategic approach allowed the system to address numerous historic contractual agreements swiftly, seek commercial rate enhancements, reorganize its finances, and focus on service optimization.
In the nearly 8 months since the filing, the system has optimized multiple service lines, re-opened its inpatient mental health unit, and experienced growth in inpatient, surgical, and ambulatory volume, including a 16% increase in labor and delivery. Equally critical to its success, the system retained and expanded the medical staff.
On May 28th, Heywood Healthcare filed papers to exit Chapter 11. The plan articulates the system’s readiness to emerge independently. Rozanna Penney, President and CEO states, “Heywood Healthcare’s progress is attributed to its dedicated medical staff and employees, along with strong financial and operational prudence. We will proceed thoughtfully and planfully, maintain focus on patient care, and continue to forecast potential risks.
The board and leadership team extend our gratitude for the steadfast support of our federal, state, and local representatives, as well as our appreciation for the patients who continue to choose Heywood Healthcare.”
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About Heywood Healthcare
Heywood Healthcare is an independent, community-owned healthcare system serving north central Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire,comprised of Heywood Hospital, a 134-bed acute care community-owned non-profit hospital in Gardner, MA; Athol Hospital, a 25-bed not-for-profit, Critical Access Hospital in Athol, MA; and Heywood Medical Group, with primary care physicians and specialists located throughout the region.
The organization includes eight satellite facilities in MA: Ashburnham Family Medicine in Ashburnham, Heywood Rehabilitation Center, Summit Family Medicine & Heywood Primary Care, The Winchendon Health Center & Murdock School-based Health Center in Winchendon, Tully Family Medicine and Walk-In Care and ACES Athol Community Elementary School Based Health Center in Athol. The organization also includes the Heywood Healthcare Charitable Foundation. For more information, visit www.heywood.org.
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