Edward J. Urban Foundation donates $100,000 to Baystate Mary Lane Hospital

WARE – Baystate Mary Lane Hospital has received a $100,000 gift from the Edward J. Urban Foundation in celebration and rcelebrationecognition of the hospital’s 100th anniversary, and in acknowledgment recognition of the dedicated servicethe service by Baystate Mary Lane’s employees, physicians, and volunteers to the communities it serves..

Baystate Mary Lane Hospital has been the proud recipient of generousreceived donations from the Edward J. Urban Foundation since 2002. The foundation has contributed more than $170,000 to fund the purchase of vital equipment such as defibrillators, cardiac monitors, and cardiac stress- testing equipment, and has also benefited the Rehabilitation and Radiology departments and the Oncology suite.

“The Urban Foundation has helped us to provide the best in care and technology for all our patients,” said Christine F. Shirtcliff, President, Baystate Mary Lane Hospitalhospital president. “We are very grateful for this support and for the message of confidence it sends to our staff and to the community as a whole.”

Edward J. Urban was a lifelong resident and prominent businessman of Ware. As a young man, his tremendous work ethic and vision led to the founding of the American Athletic Shoe Co., Inc. in 1959. American Athletic ShoeOne of the largest ice-skate manufacturers in the country, it employed over more than 175 people in its day and was recognized as one of the largest ice skate manufacturers in the country. Tday. This year, the Company company is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Mr. Urban’s great foresight led to the creation of The the Edward J. Urban Foundation, which, upon his death in 1999, would be utilized to promote the quality of life for the residents of the Ware community. T. Trustees of the Foundation foundation are Mr. Urban’s wife, Barbara, and his nephew, Paul Opalinski.

Baystate Mary Lane Hospital, located at 85 South Street in Ware, provides a wide range of health care services including inpatient, outpatient, intensive care, maternity and 24- hour emergency services. For more information about Development and Fundraising opportunities at Baystate Mary Lane Hospital, please contact Deb Gagnon, Development Manager, at 413-967-2458.