• This page, Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children to relocate services to Western Massachusetts Hospital to improve care for children with complex medical needs, is   offered by
  • Department of Public Health
Press Release

Press Release  Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children to relocate services to Western Massachusetts Hospital to improve care for children with complex medical needs

Move will enable highly specialized care for children; State assisting families and staff during transition
For immediate release:
1/22/2025
  • Department of Public Health

Media Contact   for Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children to relocate services to Western Massachusetts Hospital to improve care for children with complex medical needs

Ann Scales, Director of Media Relations

Boston — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced plans to relocate and modernize the services offered by the Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children, moving its programs from its current Canton location to the campus of Western Massachusetts Hospital (WMH) in Westfield. The move is part of a comprehensive strategy to improve the delivery of care for children with complex medical needs. A feasibility study by the state last year determined that the current facilities in Canton are unable to accommodate the kind of technology and high-acuity care that many children with significant disabilities need. 

Separately, a programmatic review by DPH highlighted the need for a more focused, modernized care model to serve the growing needs of children in Massachusetts with the most complex medical needs, many of whom require specialized services, such as mechanical ventilation. The Pappas campus is no longer able to meet those care standards needed to serve this important population.  

“This is a necessary move to meet the complex medical needs of the children that Pappas serves by providing them with a modernized, specialized facility,” said DPH Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD. “We understand that this is a difficult step for many of the patients and families who have built strong connections with Pappas and staff. We are committed to supporting them through this transition. Ultimately, this is about improving services and providing every child with the care they need. We will also work closely with our partners in labor to connect Pappas employees with new employment opportunities.” 

“Our remarkable staff have been fiercely committed to the mission of providing exceptional care, support, and compassion to the children and families who have looked to Pappas, and we will continue to fulfill this promise as we look toward a new chapter at Western Massachusetts Hospital,” said CEO of Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children Fatima Watt, PsyD, MPA. “While transitions are never easy, this move will provide us with the resources and infrastructure to take care of the children who need us and have few other options. This move provides us with the resources and modern infrastructure to advance pediatric care in a more cohesive and specialized environment – and to continue having a positive impact on the lives of children and families in Massachusetts.” 

DPH is committed to working closely with all current patients and families to help transition current residents to appropriate settings over the next 6 to 9 months. Today, Pappas has a census of 36 patients. More than half of the current patients at Pappas are over the age of 18 and are awaiting discharge to more appropriate settings. Some current patients will transfer to the relocated Pappas unit at Western Massachusetts Hospital, while others may move to various facilities across the state that can accommodate their specific level of need. 

The relocation will also affect the more than 225 current Pappas employees. In addition, the transition will impact staff from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Easterseals, and Aramark who provide services at the Canton campus, as well as some medical and professional contractors. DPH is working with labor partners to identify appropriate opportunities for staff, and the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development will support those employees affected by this transition and provide a range of services to assist staff with finding new opportunities.  

Creating a specialty unit for children at WMH will involve renovating a wing that will house a 25-bed dedicated pediatric care program. The space will be equipped with enhanced medical infrastructure to meet the needs of children with complex medical issues. In addition, the environment will be refitted and redesigned to provide a comfortable and welcoming place with a range of assistive equipment and activity and play areas where young patients can receive therapy and services – clinical and nonclinical – that will help them develop, grow, and reach their individual potential and goals.  

The relocation process is expected to unfold over the course of 2025, with the majority of transitions occurring in the fall.  

###

Media Contact   for Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children to relocate services to Western Massachusetts Hospital to improve care for children with complex medical needs

  • Department of Public Health 

    DPH keeps people healthy and communities strong.
  • Help Us Improve Mass.gov  with your feedback

    Please do not include personal or contact information.
    Feedback