Baystate Medical Center Names Robert S. Davis Wing

SPRINGFIELD — The Robert S. Davis Wing at Baystate Medical Center, formerly known as the South Wing, was recently dedicated in a ceremony honoring the life of Robert “Bob” Davis, who passed away in 2021.

The Davis family, along with friends and community members, gathered for the ceremony in the D’Amour Family Healing Garden at Baystate Medical Center, held in recognition of the philanthropic support from the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation toward new operating and interventional procedural rooms at the hospital. The Robert S. Davis Wing houses a portion of this new surgical space as well as the Pediatric Procedure Unit, the Sadowsky Center for Children, Baystate Medical Center inpatient pharmacy, and two floors of patient rooms.

“The Davis family has helped us create a modern surgical department, which will provide patients with a better experience, accommodate new methodologies, and attract top clinical talent,” Dr. Mark Keroack, president and CEO of Baystate Health, said during the ceremony.

Keroack called the Davis family’s decision to dedicate the space in memory of Robert — the second of four Davis children — “particularly poignant” because of the time Robert spent at Baystate Medical Center during his final year receiving care and dialysis treatment.

“Through this gift, Bob’s legacy will be helping many people live and enjoy their lives,” Keroack said.

Robert’s niece, Laurel Davis Ferretti, added that “he experienced firsthand the medical advances at Baystate, especially in the last year of his life, and we are so grateful for that care.”

The dedication of the Robert S. Davis Wing is the latest investment in Baystate Health from the Davis family, whose philanthropy focuses on improving quality of life for residents in Hampden County. Prior investments include the award-winning Davis Family Heart and Vascular Center and the Davis Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the only NICU in Western Mass. Additionally, Robert’s brother, John Davis, chaired Baystate Health’s Hospital of the Future campaign, the health system’s largest fundraising effort to date.

“A dozen years ago, the Hospital of the Future was built at Baystate Medical Center to make way for a future of innovation, expanding needs, and the changes that are inevitable in healthcare,” said Scott Berg, vice president of Philanthropy at Baystate Health and executive director of the Baystate Health Foundation. “That vision has prepared us for this day. With increased patient volume and technical advances, the future is now.”

Guests at the event also enjoyed a surprise appearance from the Springfield Thunderbirds’ mascot, Boomer.

“I had the pleasure of knowing Bob. We shared a common passion in local hockey. Today, on behalf of the T-Bird organization, Boomer, and our thousands of fans, we remember our loyal fan Bob and thank the Davis family for continuing to invest in our community,” said Thunderbirds owner, Baystate Health supporter, and Springfield-based businessman Paul Picknelly.

For the Davis family, the dedication was a fitting way to remember Robert and support local healthcare. “Robert just liked mankind,” John Davis said. “For him, this honor was the right thing.”