Worcester News

Central Mass. health alliance to disband after 15 years

  • Posted by Worcester News Wed at 12:08 PM - Filed in News - #Worcester  #Grafton  #Shrewsbury  #West Boylston  #The Central Massachusetts Regional Public Health Alliance  #Matilde Castiel  - 153 views

    WORCESTER — The Central Massachusetts Regional Public Health Alliance will disband effective June 30, 2025, prompting Worcester and neighboring towns to independently pursue new funding sources tailored to their evolving public health needs, officials announced Wednesday.

    The city of Worcester and the towns of Shrewsbury, Grafton, and West Boylston mutually agreed to dissolve the alliance after concluding local priorities required distinct strategies, according to Dr. Matilde Castiel, Worcester's Commissioner of Health and Human Services.

    “As Worcester’s population has grown tremendously, our local public health priorities have also greatly shifted,” Castiel said. “We mutually agreed that it would be most effective to focus on building independent capacity.”

    Worcester will pursue state funding aimed at enhancing community-specific health programs. Shrewsbury, Grafton, and West Boylston plan to seek separate opportunities to strengthen local services.

    Kevin Mizikar, Shrewsbury's town manager, praised the collaboration that marked the 15-year existence of the alliance, thanking Worcester officials for their leadership and partnership.

    “As local governments navigate increasingly complex public health challenges, we must continue to evolve,” Mizikar said. “Shrewsbury looks forward to building upon this strong foundation.”

    The alliance’s dissolution followed extensive discussions among municipal officials, who agreed independent structures would better meet each community's distinct public health goals.

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