Milford Regional annual gala breaks fundraising record

Four people stand side-by-side in an event space. The woman on the right has shoulder length blonde hair and wears a blue sparkly top and a dark blue skirt, the man to the right of her wears a black suit, the man to the right of him also wears a black suit, and the woman to the right of him wears a gold sparkly top

Photo I Courtesy of Milford Regional Healthcare Foundation (From left): Dr. Catherine Jones, assistant professor at UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester; Dr. Eric Dickson, president and CEO of UMass Memorial Health in Worcester; Ed Kelly, president of UMass Memorial Health – Milford Regional Medical Center; and Emily Quinn, Milford Regional vice president for philanthropy

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By Mica Kanner-Mascolo

Renovation taking place at UMass Memorial Health – Milford Regional Medical Center just got a massive boost in funding as the Milford Regional Healthcare Foundation has raised $1.3 million for the project through its annual Mélange Gala and Live Auction, setting a record for the event’s 20-year history.

With nearly 400 in attendance, the foundation’s Nov. 2 gala aimed to raise funds for the second phase of a major renovation to Milford Regional’s suite of eight operating rooms, according to a Tuesday press release. The Milford Regional Healthcare Foundation manages the hospital’s fundraising and event efforts.

The hospital’s collective operating rooms will be named the Kevin and Leslie Lobisser Family Foundation Surgical Suite in honor of the Kevin and Leslie Lobisser Family Foundation, whose philanthropic contributions will help fund the installation of lights, booms, and video integration in the suite.

“As we look toward the future, the remarkable success of Mélange underscores our community’s undeniable dedication to helping us advance our patient-focused mission,” Milford Regional President Edward Kelly said in the release. “Unprecedented fundraising efforts will once again translate back to Milford Regional’s ability to locally provide outstanding patient care for our amazingly generous donors and all members of our community.”

This year’s event, titled “An Enchanted Evening Awaits”, had an emerald theme as a nod to the Emerald City featured in the 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz”. Live auction items included trips to Tuscany and Aruba, season tickets to the New England Patriots, and a lobster bake for 50 people.

Among the event’s highest-contributing donors were Milford Regional’s parent company UMass Memorial Health of Worcester, three other entities donating $25,000, and 24 individuals and businesses, contributing $10,000 each.

“For the last two decades, Mélange donors and supporters have exhibited an unfaltering commitment to support our needs at the hospital,” Milford Regional Vice President of Philanthropy Emily Quinn said in the release. “The impact of their generosity continues to resonate within and beyond our hospital walls to improve the lives of those we so proudly serve.”

The foundation’s event comes after Milford Regional finalized its corporate affiliation process with UMass Memorial Health in October. The hospital had been clinically affiliated with UMMH since 1991 with the two entities signing a letter of intent to merge in September 2023.

Mica Kanner-Mascolo is a staff writer at Worcester Business Journal, who primarily covers the healthcare and diversity, equity, and inclusion industries.