UMass Memorial Medical Center’s North Pavilion is getting another 24 patient rooms, and a $250,000 grant from Bank of America is helping get them ready for patients.
UMass Memorial Health announced the grant as it moves ahead with an expansion of the North Pavilion, which currently contains 72 private rooms for acute-care patients. The additional rooms are expected to open in summer 2027 and brings the pavilion’s total capacity to 96 beds.
The $250,000 award is the first corporate contribution to a philanthropic campaign supporting the North Pavilion project, according to the announcement.
The expansion does not require adding another wing to the building. The North Pavilion was constructed with unfinished “shell” space specifically designed to accommodate 24 additional patient rooms. The new funding helps complete that space as UMass Memorial works to address demand for hospital beds in Worcester.
“We are grateful to Bank of America for this generous contribution,” UMass Memorial Medical Center President Justin Precourt said in the announcement. “This investment helps support the expansion of the North Pavilion, enabling us to provide high-quality care to more patients while addressing growing capacity needs.”
The existing 72 private rooms are used for acute care, with an emphasis on treating patients with chronic diseases.
Bank of America described the $250,000 contribution as an Anchor Grant, part of the company’s philanthropic investments in communities where it operates.
“At Bank of America, we know growing communities need access to high-quality medical care,” Michael Garand, president of Bank of America Worcester, said in the announcement. “We’re proud to partner with UMass Memorial Health to help expand the North Pavilion to better serve our community.”
The bank employs about 170 people locally and operates 14 financial centers in the Worcester area, according to information provided with the announcement. Since 2020, Bank of America said it has contributed approximately $2.9 million to local philanthropic efforts and its employees have logged more than 10,500 volunteer hours.
The North Pavilion expansion comes as UMass Memorial, the largest nonprofit health care system in Central Massachusetts, continues to contend with growing demand across its network. The system employs more than 20,000 people and includes UMass Memorial Medical Center as well as hospitals in Milford, Leominster, Clinton and Southbridge.
If construction remains on schedule, the pavilion’s 24 newest rooms should begin receiving patients next summer.
Have a story tip, community concern, or insight to share? Email Editor Charlene Arsenault at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org.
The Worcester Guardian is a nonprofit newsroom serving Central Massachusetts. Help keep independent reporting alive by making a donation today.
