Franklin First Credit Union Supports Family Medicine Program

Franklin First Credit Union recently made a $20,000 gift to the Department of Family Medicine Residency Program, a partnership between Baystate Franklin Medical Center and the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School – Baystate.

For Franklin First CEO Michelle Dwyer, this gift was an important one to make in support of her community, especially with a shortage of primary care and specialty care providers in the Greater Franklin region. Family Medicine brings a unique blend of these two things, as practitioners are trained broadly to treat all members of a family system.

“It’s important for local businesses to support initiatives like this that only add value to the community,” shared Michelle.

Michelle shared that this gift was made in memory of a figure who played a big role in the community – 16-year Franklin First board member and former Greenfield Police Chief David Guilbault, who passed away in November.

Chief Guilbault was a supporter of the credit union and a mentor to Michelle, who started her work with Franklin First as a bank teller

“Dave encouraged me and was one person who truly believed in me and my career path,” shared Michelle. “This is just one of the many reasons I feel it’s important to honor him in a way that allows the community to celebrate him and keeps his memory in the forefront of their minds.”

The team in the Department of Family Medicine is incredibly grateful for the local support.

“Donations from local businesses are so meaningful because our future patients are part of these organizations,” said Dr. Robert Baldor, Founding Chair, Baystate Health Department of Family Medicine. “Our work is all about serving our community, so to know they support us makes moving our efforts forward even more exciting.”

To learn more about the Department of Family Medicine Residency Program and how you can support it, visit BaystateHealth.org/FMF.