UMass Memorial Health

UMass Memorial Health Care expects to receive 1,950 doses of a coronavirus vaccine on Tuesday, with priority given first to frontline caregivers.

Dr. Eric Dickson, the president and CEO of UMass Memorial Health Care, is urging the Worcester-based health system's employees to get the coronavirus vaccine when it's expected to begin giving doses next week.

The leaders of UMass Memorial Health Care and Saint Vincent Hospital said Tuesday they expect to be able to begin to provide coronavirus vaccines to their healthcare workers next week.

Medical professionals – especially those who work in an intensive care unit or emergency room – are used to seeing heartbreaking cases of disease, tragic accidents or violence. Virtually nothing, though, has been like the coronavirus pandemic.

Central Massachusetts hospitals generally struggled to reach a break-even point financially despite millions of dollars in federal aid meant to help during the coronavirus pandemic.

UMass Memorial Health Care has hired a new vice president to oversee diversity and inclusion, a new position at the Worcester-based hospital system that's the largest employer in Central Massachusetts.

UMass Memorial Health Care is shifting into an emergency operations plan because of a critically high number of patients, and UMass Medical School is expanding testing and travel protocols as coronavirus pandemic numbers continue to rise, leaders at both entities said Tuesday.

UMass Memorial Health Care is working with state officials on plans for potentially opening a field hospital in Worcester as was done during the height of the coronavirus pandemic in the spring at the DCU Center.

UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester is tightening visitor restrictions again as cases rise, allowing only one visitor per day for patients who haven't been diagnosed with coronavirus or are under investigation of having it.

UMass Memorial Health Care is giving bonuses of $500 to full-time caregivers and smaller amounts to those who work part time, President and CEO Dr. Eric Dickson said in a staff memo Monday.