Norwood Town Launches Healthcare Working Group to Explore Reopening Norwood Hospital: A Community Initiative for Better Health

NORWOOD — Governor Maura Healey has tasked Norwood’s General Manager, Tony Mazzucco, with leading a new group focused on the health care needs of the community after the closure of Norwood Hospital. The hospital shut down in 2020 due to flood damage caused by Steward Health Care.

“We have important work ahead of us. Our goal is to find a strong operator who can reopen Norwood Hospital,” said Mazzucco. “This situation is unique compared to other local hospitals. We’re not just looking to repurpose an old building; we are committed to reopening a functioning hospital. I appreciate the efforts of local leaders like Rep. Stephen Lynch, state Sen. Michael Rush, and state Rep. John Rogers, who have all played a big role in reaching this point.”

Rep. Lynch expressed the community’s urgent need for health care services. “The closure of Norwood Hospital has created a major gap in access to care, impacting not just Norwood but the entire region. I’m thankful for the Governor’s support in forming this working group. Together, we will explore options to reopen the hospital. It’s crucial because people’s lives are at stake.”

Governor Healey recognized the long-standing issues faced by the community. “Norwood has depended on its hospital for years. The flood damage and management issues left many in uncertainty. I am eager to see what this working group can achieve to ensure everyone in Norwood has access to quality health care.”

The working group will bring together a wide range of voices including health care providers, public health officials, labor leaders, emergency service representatives, community advocates, and local government officials. They will assess the current state of health care in the area, considering factors like urgent care needs since the hospital’s closure. Their ultimate goal is to find a suitable operator capable of making Norwood Hospital operational again.

The group is set to start its work immediately.