NORWOOD — Norwood General Manager Tony Mazzucco is proud to announce a diverse list of local experts who have signed on to join a new health care task force with the ultimate goal of reopening Norwood Hospital.
“Each of these individuals brings something unique to the table,” said group leader, General Manager Mazzucco. “First, we’ll launch our review of the health care needs of the communities previously served by Norwood Hospital, which was closed by Steward Health Care after a flood in 2020. Then we’ll focus on reopening our hospital with a new owner.”
The task force includes regional health care providers, public health officials, labor leaders, emergency service providers, community leaders and elected and local government officials and business leaders, including:
- Jack McCarthy, retired Executive Director of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA)
- Rick Roche, Roche Brothers CEO
- Steve Costello, President, Bank of Canton
- Tim Bailey, Norwood Fire Chief
- John Rogers, Representative for 12th Norfolk District
- Michael Rush, State Senator for the Suffolk and Norfolk District
- Chris Padden, Norwood Police Chief
- Ernie Boch Jr., former CEO of Boch Enterprises
- Frank Callahan, President Mass Building and Trades Union
- Charles Doody, Canton Town Administrator and a retired Canton Fire Chief
- Rob Green, Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts Chief of Staff
- Bob Bower, Director of Workforce Development for the Massachusetts AFL-CIO
- Julie Pinkham, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Nurses Association
- Stacey Lane, Norwood Public Health Director
- Cari Medina, vice president for Local 1199 of the Service Employees International Union
- Michael E. Boynton, Medway Town Manager
- Charlie Donohue, Former President and Co-Founder, HealthCare Value Management and BU School of Public Health Board Member
- Robert A. Cerasoli, a former state Representative, former Massachusetts Inspector General and founder of the Association of Inspectors General
- Dr. Chris Perkins, Internal Medicine specialist
- Mike Connors, retired CFO of Cape Cod Healthcare
“We’re also in discussion with executive leadership at Moderna and FM Global about how they can participate as well,” said General Manager Mazzucco.
The overall task force will be aided by several sub-groups. Dr. Chris Perkins, a primary care doctor in the Norwood area for more than 30 years, will lead an additional working group of medical professionals and providers. Mike Connors, of Norwood, the recently retired CFO of Cape Cod Healthcare, will lead an additional working group of hospital operations, planning, and management professionals.
“This is an incredible group,” said Norwood Board of Selectmen Chairman Robert G. Donnelly. “We’re looking forward to hearing what all of these great minds have to say on this issue. It’s time to open Norwood Hospital, and this task force will help us get that feat accomplished.”
In addition to being members of the task force, state Rep. John Rogers and state Sen. Mike Rush will lead the Norwood Hospital Legislative Caucus, consisting of representatives and senators from the area, including state Senators William J. Driscoll Jr. and Paul R. Feeney; state Reps. Edward R. Phillips, Paul McMurtry, William C. Galvin, Jeffrey N. Roy, and Marcus S. Vaughn; and of course U.S. Congressman Stephen F. Lynch.
The main working group, formed at the direction of Gov. Maura Healey following a meeting with General Manager Mazzucco, Congressman Lynch, Senator Rush, and Representative Rogers will publicize findings about the state of health care access in the region — including acute care in light of the Norwood Hospital closure — based on data, community feedback and input from key stakeholders with their ultimate goal of finding a suitable operator for Norwood Hospital. In addition, the working group will work to connect operators and the property owner to facilitate a viable business plan.
“We know that Norwood and the region relied on Norwood Hospital, which has been left in limbo for years due to flood damage and Steward’s mismanagement,” said Governor Healey. “I welcome the creation of this working group and look forward to collaborating in this work to ensure access to high-quality health care in Norwood and the region.”
Former Norwood Hospital Community Advisory Board Members George Usevich, Gerry Lorusso, Richard Vaughn and Joan Jacobs will assist the task force with community organizing efforts as well as advice and guidance.
“Senator Rush and I are pleased to see things progress on our longstanding goal of reopening Norwood hospital and look forward to working as part of this task force and leading the legislative caucus for Norwood Hospital,” said Rep. Rogers.
“We need to find a viable operator with the capital to reopen Norwood Hospital,” said General Manager Mazzucco. “This group will serve a single purpose — to make this happen.”
As part of the Finish Norwood Hospital campaign, the Town of Norwood has also launched a website dedicated to the campaign: FinishtheJobNorwood.com.
On the website, visitors can access information about the new working group, view the history of Norwood Hospital and review a timeline of the closure, and get involved in advocacy efforts by signing letters to state officials.
To follow the Finish Norwood Hospital campaign, visit the campaign website, or the campaign’s socials: Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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