Athol Hospital Dedicates New Board Room to Frederic W. Hillis

GARDNER, Mass. - March 6, 2015 - PRLog -- Athol, MA – On Wednesday, March 4, 85 hospital staff, physicians, family and community members gathered to honor and dedicate the newly renovated Athol Hospital Board Room in memory of Frederic W. Hillis, a man whose life’s mission was to advance the health and wellness of his community. Well-known in the North Quabbin region as a leader and visionary, Hillis worked tirelessly to provide access to quality healthcare.

Fred Hillis began his healthcare career at Glens Falls Hospital in 1946, becoming Assistant Administrator in 1953.  The following year, he was appointed Administrator of the Delaware Valley Hospital, Walton, NY, and went on to be named Administrator of Athol Memorial Hospital in 1960 – a position he held until his retirement in 1985.

While at Athol Hospital, he oversaw a multi-million dollar expansion project which included increasing bed size from 82 to 101 and adding numerous diagnostic and clinical services. Additionally under his leadership, a home health agency was established and two medical arts buildings opened. Beyond his work at Athol Hospital, Hillis was instrumental in the creation of a family health plan that provided health care to families and individuals with financial need and launched the North Quabbin Health Plan (HMO).

Hillis was always seeking out new ways to give back to his community. After his retirement from hospital administration, he served on the Board of Trustees for Athol Savings Bank and Athol Memorial Hospital, was treasurer of the Starrett Memorial United Methodist Church and President of the Athol-Orange Rotary Club.

Made possible by a generous gift from the Hillis Family and the community, the new Hillis Board Room offers a contemporary meeting space for both hospital and community use.

During the dedication ceremony, Win Brown shared memories from employees who knew and worked with Mr. Hillis. Retired General William Meehan, one of Athol Hospital’s most dedicated supporters and long-time Trustee, recounted working with Hillis and the healthcare and community achievements brought to the North Quabbin Region during his tenure as Athol Hospital Administrator.

David Hillis, Fred’s son and Chair/CEO of AdCare Hospital in Worcester and Chair of Fallon Healthcare, and Jane Hillis, Fred’s wife, offered thoughts from the Hillis family. Finally, Reverend Freda Maier blessed the newly renovated space.

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About Athol Hospital
A member of the Heywood Healthcare system, Athol Hospital is a 25-bed non-profit, acute care and outpatient facility serving the communities of the North Quabbin region of Massachusetts. Athol Hospital’s services include 24/7 Emergency Care, Oncology, Radiology and Laboratory, Diabetes Center and Center for Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation. It is designated as a Critical Access Hospital and Primary Stroke Center, licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and accredited by the Joint Commission.

About Heywood Hospital
Part of the Heywood Healthcare system, Heywood Hospital is a 134-bed acute care hospital in Gardner, MA, which provides a broad range of high quality medical, surgical, obstetrical, pediatric and behavioral health services on an inpatient and outpatient basis. The hospital’s Centers of Excellence include the Watkins Center for Emergency and Acute Care; the LaChance Maternity Center; the Diabetes Center; and the Heywood Heart and Vascular Center, an affiliate of the Heart and Vascular Center of Excellence at UMass Memorial Health Care.

About Heywood Healthcare
Heywood Healthcare is an independent, community-owned healthcare system serving north central Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. It is comprised of Heywood Hospital, a non-profit, 134-bed acute-care hospital in Gardner, MA; Athol Hospital, a 25-bed not-for-profit, Critical Access Hospital in Athol, MA; Heywood Medical Group with primary care physicians and specialists located throughout the region; four satellite facilities in MA – Heywood Rehabilitation Center in Gardner, West River Health Center in Orange, Winchendon Health Center and Murdock School-based Health Center in Winchendon - and Heywood Charitable Foundation and the North Quabbin Community Coalition, an affiliate organization.