Donor Impact Stories

“I was terrified of losing my wonderful daughter, a young wife and mother, sister, and friend to many,” Mary Ellen said. “… I will be forever thankful to Milford Regional Medical Center for the expert care and teamwork that returned Kristy to her full life.”

– Mary Ellen Shriver

My daughter Kristy was sitting at her desk at work when she began to feel ill. Within hours abdominal pain and a fever of 101 prompted her husband to take her to the closest Emergency Room, at Milford Regional Medical Center. A multitude of tests did not provide a diagnosis. But one physician made a difference, saying he wanted to rule out one more highly unlikely diagnosis.  Kristy doesn’t remember his name but will always remember his persistence and will always be grateful that he continued to search for answers and ordered a blood culture. His diagnosis of septicemia led to a hospital admission. Over the next twenty four hours, despite treatment, her temperature and pain continued to increase and she became lethargic.

“I was terrified of losing my wonderful daughter, a young wife and mother, sister, and friend to many.” They say timing is everything and it was certainly true for Kristy. MRMC had just opened their brand new state of the art intensive care unit and Kristy became one of their first patients. The team of amazing physicians, nurses and other staff members in the ICU in consultation with infectious disease specialists from Milford Regional Medical Center were able to identify the pathogen and successfully treat her life-threatening infection.

I will be forever thankful to MRMC for the expert care and teamwork that returned Kristy to her full life.

Mary Ellen

“My mother was a nurse at Milford Regional when it was just a small cottage hospital. She would be so happy to see what a wonderful community resource it has become.”

– Joyce Gilmore

“We’ve witnessed Milford Regional’s continuous growth over the years to further its mission to provide high-quality care and essential services. It is a tremendous source of pride in the local community.”

– Dan Gilmore

Mendon residents Joyce and Dan Gilmore have a deep-rooted history with Milford Regional Medical Center. “I tell everyone I owe my life to Milford Regional,” says Joyce. “Not in the traditional sense, but in a romantic one.” Joyce’s parents first met when her mother, a student at the Medical Center’s nursing school at the time, cared for her father as a patient. Dan notes, “Joyce and I were both born at Milford Regional Medical Center, too. We grew up together and were high school sweethearts.”

Inspired by her mother, Joyce chose a career in nursing and was instrumental in founding Tri-River Family Health Center in Uxbridge in the 1970s. She says, “Our mission was to expand primary care services in the community. Tri-River then established relationships with Milford Regional Medical Center and University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center in Worcester. The services complimented each other, and the three organizations grew together.”

Joyce began serving on the Milford Regional Annual Golf Classic Planning Committee more than 20 years ago, and served as the committee chair in 2015 and for the 25th anniversary event in 2014. Her community involvement extends to other areas, as well, including the Mendon Board of Health, the Friends of the Mendon Police Station, and fund-raising events sponsored by the Hopedale Country Club Women’s Golf Association. The Thimble Pleasures Quilt Guild, an 85-member quilting group founded by Joyce in the early 1990s, donates items to benefit local fund-raising initiatives, as well. “This community offers a great deal to the people who live here,” says Dan. “It’s important to give back.”

“The people at Milford Regional are very forward thinking. Hosting the WMRC Radiothon in conjunction with the Golf Classic reaches people on a different level. I especially love seeing younger generations saving up to help by contributing to the Oliva Fund for Cancer Care. It’s a great day all around.”

– Tom McAuliffe II

Tom McAuliffe II had a big act to follow when, fresh out of college, he stepped into his father’s role at WMRC-First Class Radio 1490 AM, one of the oldest locally owned and operated radio stations in the state. Tom McAuliffe Sr. purchased the station in the fall of 1990, committed to the philosophy that a strong local radio station makes a strong connection to the community. “Milford Regional Medical Center operates under the same philosophy — a strong local hospital makes strong connections to the community,” says Tom II.

Tom II served on the Milford Chamber of Commerce Board with Milford Regional Medical Center CEO Frank Saba around the same time he began managing the station. He says, “Frank made it easy to want to partner with the Medical Center and do wonderful things for the community together. Everybody wins.”

Tom II has been involved with the Milford Regional Annual Golf Classic for years, and, recognizing that the successful event had possibly reached its fund-raising capacity, created a way to extend it to the general public. “We started the WMRC Radiothon in 2007 and the results have been simply overwhelming,” he says. “It brings the community together and shines a light on the Oliva Fund for Cancer Care. It’s one of the happiest and proudest days of the year for me.” He also enjoys sharing the day with his family, and credits Tom Sr. for all that he does. He says, “Any success I’ve had is because of what my father has taught me. He is my hero, mentor, and best friend. For him, the glass isn’t just half-full, it’s always two-thirds full.”