In September 2018, the new Emergency Department opened at Baystate Wing Hospital. The campaign, which raised $3.15 million, exceeding its goal, was co-chaired by two community members whose humility and care for the community is evident the moment you meet them.
Ed and Ellen Noonan have spent their lives in western Massachusetts. Ed grew up in Springfield and Ellen is a Palmer native. When their community hospital needed help, they stepped up to the plate, as they have many times before.
The result? They were able to help garner support for the new, $17.2 million emergency department at Baystate Wing Hospital, including a successful campaign challenge in which they matched $100,000 of donations.
Deep roots
The connection they have had with their community hospital began long before the campaign. In fact, it goes back to the mid-1970s when Ed served as a member of the Visiting Nurses Association Board. In 1984, he joined the Wing Board, serving as a member for more than 30 years, including as chair for 15 years. He is now a member of the Baystate Health Board of Trustees.
Ellen is co-chair of the Patient and Family Advisory Council for the Eastern Region, serving as a voice that represents patients at Baystate Wing Hospital in Palmer, and Baystate Mary Lane Outpatient Center in Ware.
Outside of their dedicated volunteerism to Baystate Health, they and their families have also been patients and utilized the services provided through their community hospital.
“We have kids and grandkids in the area, so they regularly visit the hospital and see the doctors,” shared Ellen with a laugh. “It will be a never-ending connection to Baystate Wing and the entire health system.”
Community connection
With locations spread out across Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties, Baystate Health is represented throughout western Massachusetts. The ability for individuals to receive quality care close to home is an important benefit for Ed and Ellen and is one of the many reasons they have supported Baystate Wing and Baystate Mary Lane.
When Ed first began his business in Palmer, he wanted to be able to support the organizations that provided services to the people of Palmer and the surrounding communities, which is how his philanthropic ties to Baystate Wing Hospital began.
“It’s important for people to understand that it’s vital to our communities to have such resources and that healthcare doesn’t happen with just the payments that are made for services,” shared Ed.
The couple’s support of the hospital is also a way to support healthcare for those who live in western Massachusetts.
“It gives us a sense of peace knowing that we have a quality facility in our own community and we don’t have to travel too far for care,” said Ellen.
“It’s important for people to have access to care close to home,” added Ed. “We’ve been very fortunate to be able to help out and we look forward to continuing our support.”
Learn how you can make a gift in support of your community through Baystate Health Foundation.