‘Improve health in this vital region’

AYER — On Dec. 4, local and regional leaders celebrated the launch of the Nashoba Health Equity Partnership, which was formed to strengthen access to health care and address social determinants of health in the Nashoba Valley region. The joint venture between the Health Equity Partnership of North Central Massachusetts (CHNA 9) and The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts was made possible by a three-year $250,000 grant by the Foundation.

The launch builds on work initiated in the wake of the closure of Nashoba Valley Medical Center in August 2024, which placed new strain on an already challenged rural health landscape. As part of the Nashoba Valley Health Planning Working Group initiated by Gov. Maura Healey, municipalities, health and social service organizations, and community members collaborated to assess the needs of the community, identify gaps in access, and outline strategies to improve the health outcomes of individuals in the area. The Nashoba Health Equity Partnership will carry this work forward under the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s Advancing Health Equity in Massachusetts initiative, which works to eliminate racial, economic, and regional disparities in health outcomes with a focus on maternal health and social determinants of cardiometabolic health.

“Communities in the Ayer region have been piecing together solutions to improve health care access and transportation with limited resources,” said Amie Shei, president and CEO of The Health Foundation. “We see tremendous value in the initiatives already underway and are thrilled to support the Nashoba Health Equity Partnership over the next several years to advance regional equity and improve health in this vital region in Massachusetts.”

During the event, speakers outlined findings from the working group, including the high demand for emergency and outpatient care, the strain on local Emergency Medical Services providers, and the transportation challenges residents face when trying to reach medical services. Preliminary Community Health Needs Assessment data to identify and analyze the health needs, issues, and assets of the community was also presented by the Nashoba Associated Boards of Health.

“The Nashoba Health Equity Partnership is going to develop the deep community connections and coalition structure needed to improve a very broad scope of health in the region,” said Chelsey Patriss, executive director of The Health Equity Partnership of North Central Massachusetts (CHNA 9). “People are healthier when they have economic opportunities, strong social networks, and engaged and thoughtful leadership. Over time, these lead to the systems, programs, and resources needed for all residents to thrive.”

“This partnership harnesses the strengths of our community to develop local, resident-driven solutions,” said Jenna Montgomery, communications specialist with Nashoba Associated Boards of Health and public health educator. “The people of our region are collaborative, creative, and compassionate. We are fortunate to have the public health powerhouses of The Health Foundation and the Health Equity Partnership of North Central Massachusetts in our corner to move this work forward.”

As part of the launch, project partners highlighted several initiatives already underway, including community investment efforts in UMass Memorial Health’s Satellite Emergency Facility, which is currently under construction in Groton, and multiple transportation and telehealth programs.

The initiative will engage the Nashoba Associated Boards of Health and other local partners on developing and implementing strategies to improve health in the region.

-Nashoba Health Equity Partnership.