UMass Memorial receives $120K grant

WORCESTER – UMass Memorial Health Care has been awarded a grant of more than $120,000 from the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation to strengthen UMMHC's ability to protect its caregivers from infection during patient interactions.

The money will be used for telemedicine tools that will create a safe distance between caregivers and patients while not sacrificing quality of care. Some of the areas planned to be addressed include telemedicine for the pediatric intensive care unit, emergency services and the equipping of its primary response areas with telemedicine tools that will limit exposure and cut down on the unnecessary use of personal protective equipment.

“I am humbled by this generous contribution to the physical well-being and peace of mind of our 14,000 caregivers, who have worked tirelessly, selflessly and courageously in the face of this dreadful global pandemic,” said Dr. Eric Dickson, president and CEO of UMMHC. “It is because of organizations like the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation that we are in a better position today to address the PPE challenges than we were a few weeks ago. I can’t say it loudly enough but I am eternally grateful for this wonderful investment in our people.”

The grant is part of the McGovern Foundation’s $8.9 million commitment to respond to COVID-19 throughout Massachusetts and California’s Bay Area.

The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation is dedicated to improving lives globally with information technology, neuroscience and AI. The foundation is the legacy of IDG founder Patrick J. McGovern, who believed in the potential for technology to democratize information, improve the human condition and advance social good.