Plymouth County officials presented Southcoast Health with a $1,006,207.22 check from CARES Act funds on Tuesday, Sept. 20 at Tobey Hospital during a ceremony that honored nurses, providers, and staff of the not-for-profit community health system.

The CARES Act, an acronym for Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security, was signed into law in March of 2020 and provided $150 billion to states during the pandemic. Plymouth County received approximately $90 million, which was allocated to its 27 municipalities based on census numbers for COVID expenses.

With approximately $3 million remaining, Plymouth County distributed the funds equally among its three area hospitals, including Tobey in Wareham.

“On behalf of everyone at Southcoast Health, I would like to express our profound gratitude for this major gift to improve Tobey Hospital’s infrastructure, which will benefit residents of and visitors to the Greater Wareham Area,” said Dr. Ray Kruger, President and CEO of Southcoast Health. “As we continue our journey to full financial recovery in the face of ongoing impacts from the pandemic, these funds will prove crucial while we maintain our focus on quality, safety, and innovation for our patients.”

Southcoast Health, which has endured revenue losses approaching $60 million in fiscal year 2022, will use the funds to cover the costs of hospital-wide HVAC and other air-handling upgrades at Tobey, which themselves exceed $1 million, Kruger said.

“My fellow commissioners Greg Hanley, Jared Valanzola and I are pleased to provide this money to Tobey Hospital,” said Sandra Wright, Chair of the Plymouth County Commission. “Our entire community witnessed the dedication and professionalism with which hospital staff took care of our residents. It feels good to give back to them.”