WARE - In 1908, an anonymous donation of $1,000 was the first seed money that would make Baystate Mary Lane Hospital a reality for the town of Ware. One hundred years later, there’s a lot to celebrate.  "The people at Baystate Mary Lane Hospital care for me and they care about me," one patient’s testimony, is typical of the outpouring of sentiment accompanying the 100^th Anniversary of Baystate Mary Lane Hospital in Ware, being celebrated throughout 2009.

The history of Baystate Mary Lane Hospital begins in March 1903 when the Social Science Club of Ware raised funds and hired a district nurse with an annual salary of $688. Patients who could afford it paid 25 cents per visit.  In 1909, the Deery property of South Street was purchased and the hospital was incorporated as the Ware Visiting Nurse and Hospital Association. It had accommodations for five patients, a room for minor operations, and a storage area. There were 46 admissions that first year.

In 1919, the will of Lewis N. Gilbert, a local manufacturer, provided $500,000 in a trust and his home and grounds for the new Mary Lane Hospital, named in memory of his wife. In 1924, the 25-bed hospital, which is now the Wetherby portion of the hospital, was dedicated.  Over the last 80 years, three wings have been added to the original building through generous donations from the Storrs, Wetherby, Gilbert, Schoonmaker, Davis and Siarkeiwicz families.    

In 1991, Mary Lane Hospital joined what was then known as Baystate Health System (now Baystate Health), and in January 2007, became known as Baystate Mary Lane Hospital.   Today Baystate Mary Lane Hospital is a 31-bed community-based hospital serving the residents of Hampshire, Hampden and Worcester Counties. Baystate Mary Lane Hospital offers a wide spectrum of services from women’s health, maternity, and pediatrics, to inpatient and outpatient surgical care, a digestive health program, intensive care, and 24-hour emergency services. Ancillary services for diagnosing and treating illnesses include Radiology, Cardio-pulmonary, Laboratory, a Sleep Study Program, and Baystate Rehabilitation Care Program. Outpatient Services include physician specialty clinics, and occupational health.

Baystate Mary Lane Hospital has over 400 employees, including 94 nurses. The more than 200 active, consulting and courtesy medical/dental staff includes physician specialists in Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Anesthesiology, Allergy, Cardiology, Emergency Medicine, Radiology, Hospital Medicine, Orthopedic and General Surgery, OB/GYN, and more.  Baystate Mary Lane Hospital provides cancer services locally to patients at the hospital through the Baystate Regional Cancer Program.

As part of Baystate Health, Baystate Mary Lane Hospital has installed one of the most advanced clinical information systems in the country.  This clinical information system is an electronic way for physicians to order medications and tests, view lab results and vital signs, and virtually have much of the patient information most readily available as they make clinical decisions.  

"Baystate Mary Lane Hospital is dedicated to the health and well being of our community," notes Christine Shirtcliff, President, Baystate Mary Lane Hospital.  "The success of the hospital is a tribute to the dedicated team of health care professionals who consistently deliver high quality patient care to the many communities we serve.  We offer expert care in a setting close to home!"     

More information about Baystate Mary Lane Hospital