News Summary

An investigation is underway at Newton-Wellesley Hospital amid reports of seven brain tumors among former nursing staff in the maternity unit. Concerns arise over environmental and workplace conditions, prompting the Massachusetts Nurses Association to question the hospital’s testing procedures. A former nurse, diagnosed with a brain tumor, reveals the disturbing trend. While hospital officials assert no link between work and tumors, staff reports indicate potential patterns. As an independent firm conducts environmental tests, health concerns for nursing staff persist.

Newton, Massachusetts – An investigation is currently underway at Newton-Wellesley Hospital after a concerning cluster of seven reported brain tumors among former nursing staff on the fifth-floor maternity unit has come to light. The cluster of cases has prompted scrutiny of environmental and workplace conditions, with health concerns growing among current and former employees.

The Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA) has launched its own investigation, voicing skepticism about the hospital’s environmental testing procedures and suggesting that the evaluations may not fully address the potential health risks faced by nurses on the unit. The MNA has noted that it has already received over 300 responses from current nursing staff who have reported a range of health issues, which it is in the process of verifying.

Among those affected is Debbie Connolly, a former nurse who worked in the maternity unit from 2005 to 2018. Connolly was diagnosed with a right frontal lobe meningioma after experiencing memory and balance problems. She was fired from her job after taking medical leave to seek treatment. The realization of a pattern in tumor cases prompted Connolly to seek medical evaluation after she learned about the tumors affecting her former colleagues.

According to hospital officials, past investigations conducted have not found any environmental risks linking the work environment to the development of tumors or other serious health conditions. Those investigations included interviews with staff, assessments of air and water quality, and evaluations concerning exposure to potential carcinogens. The safety of both patients and staff has been asserted as the hospital’s top priority.

Reports suggest that there have been previous incidences of non-cancerous brain tumors diagnosed in five staff members before the confirmation of the sixth case in March 2025. Since then, an anonymous nursing colleague revealed that additional diagnoses may bring the total to as high as ten among individuals who have worked in the maternity unit. These reports highlight a growing concern among nursing staff and lead to calls for a comprehensive review of safety practices.

Mass General Brigham, the parent organization overseeing Newton-Wellesley Hospital, has not released statements discussing the latest findings amidst increasing unease among the nursing staff. The Occupational Health Service at the hospital reported that between 2020 and 2024, a total of 668 portable x-rays were performed on the fifth floor, asserting that exposure levels were maintained within safety limits. Investigations indicated that long-term mask use among staff members was not correlated with brain tumor development based on available assessments.

While the hospital has engaged an independent firm to conduct environmental testing, results are still pending. Amidst these developments, a clear divide exists between hospital administration and nursing staff regarding the perceived safety and working conditions in the maternity unit.

The MNA has emphasized its commitment to continuing the investigation into the health issues faced by staff within the hospital, with plans to make findings public once they are finalized. As both sides work toward a resolution, the pressing health concerns of the nursing staff remain at the forefront of discussions surrounding workplace safety and medical examinations at Newton-Wellesley Hospital.