News/Events

May 25, 2006 - Dr. John Chessare appointed interim President/CEO of Caritas Christi

(Brighton, MA)... The Board of Governors of Caritas Christi Health Care System announced today that John B. Chessare, MD, MPH has been appointed Interim President/CEO of Caritas Christi and Interim Secretary of Caritas Christi.

Dr. Chessare is currently the President of Caritas Norwood Hospital in Norwood, Massachusetts and Senior Vice President for Quality and Patient Safety of the Caritas Christi Health Care System. Dr. Chessare announced that an Interim President will be appointed at Caritas Norwood Hospital in the coming days.

Cardinal Seán P. O ' Malley said, " The Board appreciates Dr. Chessare ' s willingness to undertake this important position. His commitment to work with and to lead Caritas Christi at this moment will be critical to maintaining our mission of providing exceptional medical care to so many in our Archdiocese."

Dr. Chessare came to Caritas Christi in 2005 from Boston Medical Center where he served as Chief Medical Officer for seven years.

He is a graduate of Boston College, the University of Rome School of Medicine and the School of Public Health of the University of Michigan. Dr. Chessare completed his Pediatrics residency at the University of Massachusetts and a fellowship in Ambulatory Pediatrics at Boston Children ' s Hospital and Harvard Community Health Plan. He has published in the areas of child development, health services delivery, clinical epidemiology, and quality and patient safety.

A search for a permanent President/CEO and Secretary for Caritas Christi will be begin immediately. Caritas Christi Health Care (CCHC) is the second largest health care system in New England, with 12,000 employees and cares for more than one million patients annually.

Statement From Dr. John Chessare, Interim President and CEO Caritas Christi Healthcare

The Caritas Christi Health Care system has just experienced an emotional and difficult period which resulted in a change in leadership."

As interim president and chief executive officer of the system, my mission is to focus 100 percent of our efforts on providing high quality health care to more than one million patients each year ... a priority that has never wavered during this period."

Effective immediately, Caritas Christi Health Care is offering special counseling to all employees who may have been impacted by this matter. This counseling will be available for as long as it is needed." An outside human resource organization will be retained to help conduct additional group meetings. Once again, employees will be asked to openly discuss their feelings and concerns. If any further complaints are received, they will be vigorously investigated."

Caritas Christi Health Care is financially strong and is improving its business on a monthly basis. While the search for a new leader ensues, I intend to maintain this positive momentum." In closing, I would like to publicly thank the system's 12,000 employees who have always been fully committed to what we truly stand for ... exceptional patient care."

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