Combined Sources

(Greenfield, MA) Franklin First Credit Union Supports Family Medicine Program, Honors Former Board Member

Franklin First Federal Credit Union has made a $20,000 gift to Baystate Franklin Medical Center’s Department of Family Medicine Residency Program in memory of its longtime board member and former Greenfield Police Chief David Guilbault, who died suddenly on Nov. 21, 2021, at the age of 67.

The Family Medicine Residency Program is a partnership between the local hospital and the University of Massachusetts-Chan Medical School Baystate.

Michelle Dwyer, FFFCU Chief Executive Officer, said the gift was an “important one” to make in support of her community. She explained that the program will bring a unique blend of things as practitioners are going to be trained broadly to treat all members of a family system.

The Family Medicine Residency Program will be a three-year Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited training program with a total of 12 residents. It will be at 48 Sanderson Street, which is being renovated to accommodate the program. The first three residents are expected to arrive in late June.

“It’s important for local businesses to support initiatives like this that only add value to the community,” Dwyer said.

The gift was made in memory of Guilbault, a man who played a big role in the community, she said. He was a 16-year board member of the credit union as well as serving as police chief for many years. She said Guilbault was a supporter of the credit union and a mentor to her. Dwyer started her career with the credit union as a teller.

“Dave encouraged me and was one person who truly believed in me and my career path,” Dwyer shared. “This is just one of the many reasons I feel it’s important to honor him in a way that allows the community to celebrate him and keeps his memory in the forefront of their minds.”

“Donations from local businesses are so meaningful because our future patients are part of these organizations,” said Dr. Robert Baldor, founding chair of Baystate Health Department of Family Medicine. “Our work is all about serving our community, so to know they support us makes moving our efforts forward even more exciting.”

To learn more about the Department of Family Medicine Residency Program and how you can support it, visit www.baystatehealth.org/FMF.