New UMass Memorial emergency center moves forward after Nashoba closure (2025)

UMass Memorial Health is moving forward in building a new emergency center in Groton to fill the gap that was left after the Nashoba Valley Medical Center closed last summer.

The health care system will open a satellite emergency facility (SEF) at 490 Main St. in Groton, according to a statement from a UMass Memorial Health spokesperson. A purchase and sale agreement for the property was recently executed, according to the statement.

“This location was chosen after careful consideration of the region’s most immediate concerns, including EMS transport times and availability of health care services, and in close collaboration with local fire/EMS chiefs, the Nashoba Valley Health Planning Working Group and other community stakeholders,” the statement reads.

Once open, the center will provide emergency services as well as imaging, lab services, observation beds and emergency consultative services, according to the statement.

The emergency facility is expected to be constructed and fully operational by the end of 2026, according to a letter sent from UMass Memorial Health to the town.

It will operate around the clock, 24 hours, seven days a week, according to the letter. The facility will offer patients on-site radiology, imaging and laboratory services. It will also have an ambulance bay so that patients traveling by ambulance can be accepted, the letter reads.

Officials from UMass Memorial Health will hold a public meeting at 6:30 p.m. May 6 at the Groton Performing Arts Center to introduce the project to members of the town, Town Manager Mark Haddad said during the April 7 select board meeting.

UMass Memorial Health announced back in January its plans to open an emergency in the Nashoba Valley.

The Nashoba Valley region is an area of North Central Massachusetts with communities including Ayer, Stow and Lancaster.

The health system’s decision to build an emergency department comes after the Nashoba Valley Medical Center (NVMC) in Ayer closed last summer due to a lack of buyers. The Dallas-based Steward Health Care owned the medical center, which filed for bankruptcy in May 2024.

“We are grateful to the Nashoba Valley Health Planning Working Group for their thoughtful recommendations during this time of transition,” the statement from UMass Memorial reads. “We are also thankful to the Healey-Driscoll administration for their guidance and support, along with the collaborative spirit of local leaders, legislators, community organizations, local fire/EMS chiefs, and other health care providers as we collectively work to rebuild care in the Nashoba region.