Transformative Gifts Establish Two Endowed Chairs at Baystate Health, Honoring Legacies While Investing in the Future of Care

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Two families with deep connections to healthcare and their communities are helping shape the future of medicine at Baystate Health through transformative gifts establishing endowed chairs in Family Medicine and Pediatrics.

The Newcomb Endowed Chair of Family Medicine and the Emil M. Ferris, MD Endowed Chair of Pediatrics will provide sustained resources to support physician leadership, medical education, faculty development and innovation in clinical care.

Together, the gifts reflect the lasting impact philanthropy can have on healthcare — honoring the contributions of individuals who dedicated their lives to caring for others while creating opportunities for future generations of physicians and patients.

Investing in Family Medicine and Franklin County

A gift from the estate of William and Charlotte Newcomb has established the Newcomb Endowed Chair of Family Medicine at Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield, with $1 million of their legacy gift dedicated to the endowed chair.

The Newcombs established a family trust in 1981 to provide for loved ones and protect their assets while also supporting organizations and causes that were important to them. Although they built their lives in Los Angeles, they maintained their commitment to the future of healthcare at Baystate Franklin Medical Center for more than four decades.

Robert Baldor, MD, founding chair of the Department of Family Medicine at Baystate Health and professor of Family Medicine at UMass Chan Medical School – Baystate, is the inaugural holder of the Newcomb Endowed Chair.

The endowed chair will strengthen Baystate Health’s ability to attract and retain distinguished faculty and clinical leaders for its Family Medicine Residency Program while providing resources for innovative education and training focused on the unique needs of rural communities.

“Even as they built their lives in California, the Newcombs demonstrated an unwavering belief in the importance of compassionate, quality and accessible care in Franklin County,” said Dr. Baldor. “I wish we had the honor of getting to know William and Charlotte personally to thank them for their visionary gift and to share how we will steward their legacy for generations to come.”

“Their generosity fuels the continued growth and excellence of Baystate Franklin’s academic and clinical mission and Baystate Health’s continued commitment to the health and well-being of Franklin County and beyond,” he said.

Honoring a Beloved Pediatrician

The Emil M. Ferris, MD Endowed Chair of Pediatrics honors the legacy of Dr. Emil M. Ferris, a beloved community pediatrician who opened his practice in Chicopee in 1950 and cared for children and families for 53 years.

His son, Paul T. Ferris, established the endowed chair to carry on his father’s commitment to exceptional clinical care, education and lifelong learning.

The Ferris Endowed Chair is held by Matthew D. Di Guglielmo, MD, PhD, FAAP, chair of Pediatrics and pediatrician-in-chief for Baystate Children’s Hospital, who joined Baystate in 2025 following a national physician leadership search.

“I am deeply moved that my position as Chair of Pediatrics is now forever associated with Dr. Emil M. Ferris,” says Dr. Di Guglielmo. “Dr. Ferris made such a profound difference as a community pediatrician, serving as a trusted clinical expert and a cornerstone for patients and families with whom he had deep and long-standing relationships. As a general pediatrician myself, it is particularly special to hold an endowed chair position that honors a fellow general pediatrician. This transformative tribute gift from Paul allows the department to dedicate specific financial resources to innovative education, academic endeavors, faculty, and trainee career development, ultimately strengthening the caliber and reputation of Pediatrics at Baystate. I am honored to carry on Dr. Ferris’s legacy with this meaningful investment in the care of children in this region.”

Dr. Ferris was known for putting his patients first, including making phone calls and home visits and opening his office on weekends when needed. His son remembers his father’s exceptional diagnostic ability, as well as his deep understanding of the families he served.

“My dad started work at 7:30 am and was always on the go,” remembers Paul. “He put his patients first and would make phone calls, home visits, or open his office on weekends to ensure patients had the best in care. He took care of patients regardless of their ability to pay. He also had an incredible ability to diagnose patients, spotting rare or complex conditions because he was skilled at connecting seemingly unrelated symptoms. He knew his patients’ family histories, lifestyles and environments and listened closely to what his patients were not telling him, letting his strong medical intuition guide him.”

Dr. Ferris was also deeply committed to teaching. He served on the medical staffs of Mercy Hospital, the former Springfield Hospital and Wesson Memorial Hospital, which became Baystate Medical Center. He also served as an associate clinical professor of Pediatrics at Tufts University School of Medicine at Baystate Medical Center and regularly participated in Pediatric Grand Rounds.

In honor of his commitment to education, a portion of Paul’s gift will establish the Dr. Emil M. Ferris Education Day, an annual visiting lectureship as part of Grand Rounds for Baystate Children’s Hospital and pediatric teams across the community.

The Ferris endowed chair was established on the 20th anniversary of Dr. Ferris’s death, adding another meaningful connection between the family’s history and its investment in the future.

Building a Legacy That Lasts

Endowed chairs are a long-term investment in exceptional physician leaders. By providing sustained income, they give faculty and clinical leaders resources to pursue innovative opportunities in education, research, faculty development and patient care.