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At a time when health systems are under increasing pressure to improve care delivery models, UMass Memorial Health has reached a significant milestone in its Hospital-at-Home program, admitting its 3,000th patient. This initiative, spearheaded by Dr. Eric Alper, Senior Vice President, Chief Quality Officer, and Chief Clinical Informatics Officer at the health system, is proving to be an effective strategy in managing patient care while alleviating strain on traditional hospital resources.

Hospital at home programs have been a bright spot in the healthcare landscape for the past several years. They allow patients to receive inpatient-level care at their homes instead of a traditional hospital. Once a rarity, they’ve popped up across the country as a way to lighten the burden on brick-and-mortar hospitals and alleviate the capacity crisis. But despite their success, they’re at risk.

Just a week into spring and the weather still feels anything but. While many see the season as a time for fresh starts, it's not so pleasant for others, who battle itchy eyes and scratchy throats.

Dr. Stephen Krinzman says while the weather has been cold in recent days, pollen is starting to creep in. He says this is one of his busier times of the year with more people calling for help.

Kayla Alvarez was on the way to the hospital when her daughter Mariah decided to make an early arrival. Kayla Alvarez delivered her second daughter Mariah in an unlikely place thanks to the help of an unlikely friend. The 25-year-old Mass. mom was 38 weeks pregnant when she went into labor in the early hours of the morning on Jan. 29. Knowing that her daughter was coming and urged the baby's father, firefighter Prescott Caisey, to call an ambulance and take them to Milford Regional Medical Center.

UMass Memorial Health has chosen a site for the emergency care facility it says it will build to replace the emergency department at Nashoba Valley Medical Center, shuttered when the hospital closed  last August.