UMass Memorial Health

Central Massachusetts' most complete picture of the companies and leaders that drive the region's economy begins with UMass Memorial Health Care.

The urgent care frenzy that has swept Eastern Massachusetts is arriving in Greater Worcester, with at least three major players set to enter the market and plans from existing providers to up their urgent care presence.

Which is better for ambitious young workers? To stay on the job and focus on growing their careers? Or to supplement their education by enrolling in an MBA program? A number of Central Massachusetts business leaders say that, particularly with the growth of MBAs focused on particular aspects of the business world, the right choice is both.

UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester is receiving more than $600,000 in state funds, part of a $12 million push to enhance MassHealth payment rates and improve the quality of service in behavioral health.

As a Quincy-based urgent care center business prepares to enter Worcester, UMass Memorial Health Care has announced its own plans to open multiple urgent care centers in the city and the surrounding area, beginning this year.

The era of clear, efficient long-distance communication has long since arrived. Workers can hop on conference calls...

Brian Burke, a 76-year-old Warren resident, is well acquainted with the toll major surgery takes on the body.

Electronic health records have rolled out in force over the last several years. And, hundreds of companies offer software, and government has provided incentives and mandates for medical offices to modernize. Many patients are logging on to perform tasks that once took a phone call or visit.

UMass Medical School in Worcester will collaborate with Lysogene, a French biotechnology company, and Auburn University in Alabama, to develop pre-clinical studies of a rare disorder that causes neurological impairment, Lysogene announced.

The year we're about to leave - for some, maybe forget - saw several noteworthy business-related events in Central Massachusetts, but here's our consensus selections for the top five stories of 2014. As a staff, we unanimously agreed on the top story. There was little debate over the remaining four.