Dr. E. Wayne Wilkins, left, receives congratulations from Jim Hunter, as Hunter’s wife, Joan, looks on. (Photo by Paul Hopkins)
NORTH ADAMS — North Adams Regional Hospital has named its planned new emergency center in honor of Dr. E. Wayne Wilkins, an eminent retired surgeon and pioneer in emergency medicine from Massachusetts General Hospital who was praised by speakers last week for his leadership role in spearheading community projects as much as for his medical achievements.
The center’s dedication drew more than 150 to North Adams Regional Friday, where speakers also praised the leadership role of Jim and Joan Hunter for their challenge gift to the Northern Berkshires, which raised $3 million to name the center in recognition of Wilkins’ contributions to medicine and to community institutions. The Hunter’s gift of $1 million challenged the community to raise $2 million for the center.
Wilkins, a resident of Williamstown since his retirement in 1986 and a 1941 graduate of Williams College, played a key role in advancing emergency medicine in New England, as he served as chief of Mass. General’s emergency services for 18 years, helped found New England Life Flight helicopter service and served as chairman of the Hospital Emergency Medical Services Committee of the Conference of Boston Teaching Hospitals.
Wilkins was also praised as a writer, mentor and teacher, who taught future generations of physicians and surgeons at Harvard Medical School for more than 30 years. He has been a visiting lecturer at eight medical schools, including the 1964-65 year as a Fulbright visiting professor at Vienna’s Allgemeines Krankenhaus. The author of dozens of medical journal articles, he was senior editor and contributor to the MGH Textbook of Emergency Medicine in 1978, a textbook that served as the core text for students of emergency medicine.
An athlete himself, Wilkins served as head physician for the Boston Bruins for 16 years. In 1965, Sports Illustrated named him a Silver Anniversary All-American for reflecting “rounded human values in which athletics and education are joined.â€
Since moving to Williamstown with his wife, Suki, Wilkins has been an active leader for community institutions, heading the fund-raising drive for the Williamstown public library’s move and serving on the boards of the Village Ambulance Service, the REACH Community Health Foundation and the CARE Campaign Committee.
Among those attending Friday’s event were several of Wilkins’ Williams College classmates from the class of 1941.
Dr. Paul Donovan, director of the hospital’s emergency services, said he knew of Wilkins through his textbook on emergency medicine and praised his 60 years of medical accomplishments, including those as thoracic surgeon and his contributions to the specialty of emergency medicine.
Praising Wilkins’ unassuming manner, Donovan called him “a physician’s physician and a man for all seasons.â€
Francis C. Oakley, president emeritus of Williams, enumerated Wilkins’ leadership roles for the college. Wilkins, in his senior year, was elected permanent president of his class and has served as vice president of the Society of Alumni and a permanent trustee, and a member of two presidential serarch committees. Wilkins was awarded the Rogerson Cup, the highest award for alumni and the college’s Bicentennial Medal.
“Few of us, of course, are anxious to find ourselves in it, but some of us will,†Oakley said of the future emergency center. Being in a center that bears Wilkins’ name “is a measure of confidence and reassurance, and the first crucial step in the healing process,†he said.
A Williams classmate from 1941, Preston “Pete†Parrish, noted that Wilkins led the 50th Reunion Committee, which raised a record $12 million for the college. Parrish praised Wilkins’ “commitment and compassion.
“He is truly a caring man. It is fitting to name the emergency department in his honor,†said Parrish, who traveled from Michigan for the event.
Joan Hunter, co-chairwoman of the library campaign, addressed him directly, saying, “Thank you for believing in our hospital and inspiring us to make this dream come true.â€
John Cronin, president and CEO of Northern Berkshire Health Systems, the hospital’s parent organization, recalled Wilkins from Cronin’s first health-care administration job at Mass. General, noting that Wilkins had been distinctive in his kindliness and willingness to listen.
Wilkins’ manner was in marked contrast to that of his colleagues — other chairmen of services at Mass. General — Cronin recalled.
“Physicians and surgeons, to my young eyes, treated their students and residents in a way that bordered on abusive,†he said.
Cronin also noted Wilkins’ modesty, exemplified by his response, when asked to help the hospital: “I don’t know how a guy like me could help you.†Cronin said Wilkins’ service on the hospital’s committee on quality led to the creation of REACH.
“Wayne is my model for how I want the second half of my life to be,†he said.
Wilkins, who received a standing ovation, recalled some of his involvements, noting that the fund-raising effort for Village Ambulance raised about $250,000, a sum that created an endowment that will pay for new vehicles. He said it had been a privilege to serve on the CARE committee, which has raised $12 million.
Wilkins said his efforts on behalf of various community organizations have been “enthusiastic.â€
He was spurred to spearhead an overhaul of emergency medicine at Mass. General after reading a report that ranked hospitals in Massachusetts 48th among the states in emergency medicine.
“We produced marked improvements,†he said.
Med Flight helicopter service has completed 20 successful years and saved many lives, he said.
Of the dedication of the emergency medical center as the Dr. E. Wayne Wilkins Jr. Emegency Center, he said, “It’s not about me,†and praised the generosity and public-spiritedness of the Hunters.
“All Northern Berkshire residents are beneficiaries,†he said.
Bruce Grinnell, chairman of the CARE campaign, said raising money is easy when Wilkins’ name is involved.
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Dalton Day Returns This Saturday
By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The town's popular Dalton Day festival is returning this weekend after a year's hiatus.
The event will kick off this Saturday at 11 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m. in the field in front of the Senior Center.
The community celebration was established in 2023 by the Cultural Council in an effort to increase resident participation at town meetings while also showcasing the area's welcoming, diverse, artistic and sporty atmosphere. In 2024, the event brought together 300 residents.
"The primary mission of Dalton Day is to foster a strong sense of community, build civic pride, and bring residents together through a shared celebration of local culture, music, and food," said Jeannie Ingram, Select Board member and cultural council chair, and Lori Venezia, executive assistant to the town manager.
The event provides an accessible and free platform for "civic education, community bonding, and supporting local businesses, artisans, makers, and culture more broadly," they said.
The festival strengthens the fabric of the town both civically and economically by connecting grassroots organizations with residents, fostering a shared sense of belonging, and providing free, family-friendly entertainment.
It also serves as an opportunity for community members to meet with local officials and a couple of state officials. State Sen. Paul Mark and state Rep. Leigh Davis will be coming from Beacon Hill to speak at the event.
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