The Transfer of Ownership of Waltham Hospital from CareGroup to a New Board of Trustees Has Occurred!

It's official. Waltham Hospital, formally known as Deaconess Waltham Hospital (a CareGroup-owned facility), has been transferred to a new, locally controlled Board of Trustees, marking a remarkable conclusion to a community-wide effort to save this vital health care safety net from extinction. Because of the work of the Coalition to Save Waltham Hospital (a coalition of employees, nurses, physicians, community leaders, unions (including the MNA and SEIU) and citizens, with tremendous support from local and state politicians) a community hospital that served as the health care linchpin for the City of Waltham for more than 110 years has been given the opportunity to continue that mission into the future. The effort to save Waltham Hospital is evidence that people working together can make a difference. While much work still needs to be done to ensure the long term future of this hospital, a great first step has been taken. Congratulations to all who helped make this happen! The MNA is particularly proud of the work of Patricia Camuti and Patrice MacDonald, two nurses and leaders within the MNA bargaining unit at the facility, who were founding members of the Coalition to Save Waltham Hospital and who, with support from other members of the bargaining unit, worked tirelessly to ensure the hospital's survival.