“We’ll look back for generations and remember this day,” says Mark R. Tolosky, president and CEO of Baystate Health and Baystate Medical Center.

"The unanimous vote by the Public Health Council makes this a momentous day for our health system.  With this approval we can now move forward to build a facility that will meet the future needs of our communities," says Tolosky.

He adds, “It was gratifying for us to hear all the wonderful things our community partners had to say about us. This is a vote of confidence in the exemplary work of our employees system-wide who are focused on quality care and bringing the best to our patients and communities now and in the future.”

Trish Hannon, chief operating officer of Baystate Medical Center, adds, "This is an incredibly special day.  Our team has exhibited outstanding professionalism and was able to articulate our relationships with our community and the importance of the work that we all do."

Now that Baystate has approval, we will be continuing the design, financing and permitting processes leading to the construction phase.  Construstion is expected to begin in 2009, with completion anticipated in 2012.