Health System with 6 hospitals across 2 states
| Health System | Nuvance Health |
|---|---|
| Total Hospitals | 6 |
| Commercial/Acute Hospitals | 6 |
| Total Beds | 1348 |
| Commercial/Acute Beds | 1348 |
| Headquarters | Danbury, CT |
| Website | nuvancehealth.org |
| Hospital | Type | Beds | Teaching | Recently Joined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharon Hospital | Acute Care Hospital | 78 | No | No |
| Danbury Hospital | Acute Care Hospital | 345 | Yes | No |
| Norwalk Hospital | Acute Care Hospital | 328 | Yes | No |
| Vassar Brothers Medical Center | Acute Care Hospital | 365 | Yes | No |
| Northern Dutchess Hospital | Acute Care Hospital | 68 | Yes | No |
| Putnam Hospital | Acute Care Hospital | 164 | Yes | No |
The Global Health Program (GHP) was created under the leadership of Dr. John Murphy, the CEO of Nuvance Health.
Michelle Robertson, RN, BSN, MBA, joined Nuvance Health as Chief Operating Officer in July 2022, bringing with her decades of healthcare leadership experience. Prior to her role at Nuvance Health, she held senior leadership positions at Ascension Health, including serving as COO and Chief Nursing Officer of Ascension Saint Thomas. Her experience at Ascension Saint Thomas encompassed oversight of 10 acute care facilities, behavioral health, imaging, urgent care, sleep, and rehab services. Before her time at Ascension Saint Thomas, Robertson was CEO of the Seton Family of Hospitals and then served as system COO for Ascension Texas. She also held various executive leadership roles at Seton Healthcare Family. Robertson's educational background includes a Master of Business Administration degree with a specialization in Healthcare Administration from the University of Colorado and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Arizona.
Dan DeBarba is the Chief Financial Officer at Nuvance Health, joining in September 2022. He has decades of financial leadership experience in healthcare organizations. Prior to Nuvance Health, he was the Executive Vice President and CFO of Catholic Health on Long Island from 2016 to 2022. Before that, he served as President of Danbury Hospital and New Milford Hospital as part of the Western Connecticut Health Network from 2014 to 2016, and was CEO of Norwalk Hospital from 2007 to 2014, having previously been the Vice President and CFO there starting in 2007. DeBarba also held roles at Saint Mary's Hospital in Waterbury as Vice President and CFO, and was corporate director of financial planning at Yale New Haven Health System. He began his career as a certified public accountant at Ernst & Young and later worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Connecticut and a Master of Science in Accounting from the University of Hartford.
Geoffry G. (Geoff) Hook is the SVP and CIO at Nuvance Health. He was appointed to this role in 2020, following the merger of Western Connecticut Health Network (WCHN) and Health Quest, where he had previously held the same position at WCHN. Hook specializes in healthcare information systems. His prior experience includes serving as interim CIO and chief digital officer for Nuvance Health. Before the merger, he was the SVP and CIO at Western Connecticut Health Network starting in 2018. From 2014 to 2018, he was the VP, Business and Revenue Systems at MaineHealth. He also held Director roles at Adventist Health System from 2012 to 2014 and Florida Hospital from 2012 to 2012. At Florida Hospital, he also served as Senior Manager, Business Applications (2009-2012) and Product Lead and Senior Project Manager (2007-2009), starting there as a Performance Improvement Manager in 2002. Hook holds an MBA from Webster University and a BBA in Information Technology from Andrews University. He was recognized in the 2022 BostonCIO ORBIE Awards.
Jean Ahn is the Chief Strategy Officer at Nuvance Health, a position she has held since February 2020. Before joining Nuvance Health, she was the senior vice president and chief strategy officer at Baystate Health for over seven years, where she played a key role in establishing their telehealth capabilities. Prior to her tenure at Baystate Health, she spent more than a decade at Yale New Haven Health, advancing to the role of system director of strategic planning and business development. Jean Ahn holds a MHA from Cornell University and a BA with honors from Wellesley College, and she is also an alumna of the Massachusetts Health Leadership College. Her current responsibilities at Nuvance Health encompass strategic planning, business development, marketing, communications, and government and public relations.
Kathryn (Katie) Cullinan is the Chief Human Resources Officer at Nuvance Health, a role she was appointed to in April 2022. She has over 25 years of experience as a human resources professional, with a background spanning manufacturing, hospitality, financial services, and healthcare industries. Cullinan joined Western Connecticut Health Network in 2016 as a Senior HR Business Partner and previously served as Nuvance Health's Vice President of Strategic Business Partnering & HR Governance, where she was involved in harmonizing HR policies during the health system's integration. Prior to her time with Nuvance Health and Western Connecticut Health Network, she managed large complex acquisitions, divestitures, and integrations for GE Capital. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from The Catholic University of America and a Master of Business Administration in Organizational Behavior and Development from George Washington University. Cullinan is a resident of Bethel, Connecticut.
Diane Kantaros, MD, is the Chief Quality Officer at Nuvance Health. She is an internist with over 25 years of experience in the medical field, having graduated from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 1997. Dr. Kantaros is affiliated with Vassar Brothers Medical Center and previously served as the Associate VPMA, Quality Systems at Health Quest.
Dr. Christopher Lehrach is the Chief Physician Executive for Nuvance Health, a role he has held since July 2019. He also serves as President of Nuvance Health Medical Practices, overseeing more than 1,200 physicians and clinical staff across numerous locations. In his position, he is responsible for medical administrative and clinical functions across the seven-hospital system. Before joining Nuvance Health, Dr. Lehrach was responsible for strategic planning and operations for ambulatory services in the eastern region for Yale-New Haven Health. He was also President of the Lawrence + Memorial Medical Group and its Chief Transformation Officer until its acquisition by Yale-New Haven Health in 2017. Dr. Lehrach has a background in emergency medicine, having practiced for over 20 years, including serving as Chief of Emergency Medicine at Westerly Hospital in Rhode Island. He continues to practice emergency medicine. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Neurosciences and Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, an MD from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, and an MBA from Yale University School of Management. He completed his residency training at the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey (now Rutgers). He is board certified.
Grace Linhard is the Chief Development Officer at Nuvance Health. She studied at Stonehill College. Linhard also serves as the Chief Development Officer for Danbury Hospital, which is part of the Nuvance Health network. Additionally, she is listed on the advisory board for The Tiny Miracles Foundation in her capacity as Chief Development Officer at Nuvance Health. In her role, she has commented on the importance of philanthropic support for Nuvance Health's initiatives.
Mark Hirko is the President of both Putnam Hospital in Carmel, NY, and Sharon Hospital in Sharon, Connecticut, which are part of Nuvance Health. He is a healthcare executive with diverse clinical and academic leadership experience. Dr. Hirko earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in biology from the University of Akron and his medical degree from the Boonshoft School of Medicine at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. He completed a general surgery residency at Akron City Hospital and a vascular surgery fellowship at Loyola University Medical Center. He has over 35 years of experience in the medical field, specializing in general surgery and vascular surgery. Prior to his current role, he served as chairman of the department of surgery and program director of the general surgery residency at Monmouth Medical Center. He was also the chief of vascular surgery and associate medical director of the heart and vascular program at Baystate Medical Center. Dr. Hirko joined Health Quest Medical Practice, the parent organization of Nuvance Health facilities, in 2017 as associate vice president of surgical services, women's health, and medical specialties. He became president of Sharon Hospital in December 2019 and assumed the presidency of Putnam Hospital in July 2020, taking on an expanded leadership capacity for both hospitals. He has been involved in enhancing care across the system and developing medical and surgical education programs.
Sharon Adams, RN, BSN, is the Eastern Regional President at Nuvance Health, with oversight of Danbury, New Milford, and Sharon Hospitals, as well as Home Care, a position she has held since June 2022. She also serves as the President of Danbury and New Milford Hospitals. Adams has a career in healthcare spanning over 25 years, beginning as a registered nurse. Her professional background includes leadership roles such as Vice President of Patient Care and Chief Nursing and Quality Officer at Mercy Medical Center in Massachusetts, and Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer of Western Connecticut Health Network before its integration into Nuvance Health. Adams' experience encompasses leading quality improvement efforts and financial turnarounds. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Elms College, an MA in Human Resources and Development from American International College, and an MS in Health Care Administration from Bellevue University. From October 2015 to June 2022, she served as President of Danbury and New Milford Hospitals at Western Connecticut Health Network, playing a key role in initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Susan Browning is the Western Regional President of Nuvance Health and President of Vassar Brothers Medical Center. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing the medical center's operations, including financial performance, patient satisfaction, and quality of care, and works to ensure it remains a healthcare leader in the Hudson Valley. She also has operational oversight of Northern Dutchess Hospital and Putnam Hospital. Prior to joining Nuvance Health in 2023, Browning had a distinguished career spanning over 24 years at Northwell Health, where she held numerous leadership positions, including Senior Vice President of Ambulatory Strategy and Business Development. She also served as Executive Director of Long Island Jewish Forest Hills Hospital. Before her time at Northwell Health, she was Vice President for Administration at New York Presbyterian-Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, managing hospital operations, support services, and strategic ambulatory care development. Browning earned her Master of Public Health from the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and her Bachelor of Arts from Barnard College at Columbia University. She is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, a past president of Healthcare Leaders of New York, and has served as an examiner with the United States Department of Commerce Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Program.