UPDATED: Interim Hospital President Reacts to Appointment

An interim president and CEO was named at this morning to replace outgoing president and CEO John Polanowicz.

Douglas Brown, senior vice president and general counsel of UMass Memorial Health Care, has been named to the post. The announcement was made by John O’Brien, president and CEO of UMass Memorial Health Care, and , chair of the Marlborough Hospital Board of Trustees.

"I am thrilled at the opportunity," said Brown. "This is a really exciting time in health care, and this is an exciting place here in Marlborough. John (Polanoewicz) has done a phenomenal job, and there are many great physicians here on the staff. I view it as a privilege to help them through this transition."

Brown, who has been with the UMass Memorial Health Care network (of which Marlborough Hospital is a part) for eight years, will begin the transition into the position immediately in anticipation of Polanowicz leaving on May 6 of this year. 

Polanowicz is leaving Marlborough to become president of St. Elizabeth's Medial Center in Brighton. 

“We are pleased that Doug will take on this important role,” said O’Brien. “He is a well respected and trusted leader and has spearheaded a number of key and innovative UMass Memorial initiatives that have improved governance and reduced risk. He will be a great fit with the team in Marlborough.” 

Brown, in his time with the organization, has help lead the development of the system strategic plan and is "very much focused on the future model of health care delivery," according to a press release from UMass Memorial Health Care. 

"My fundamental goal here will be to sustain the great progress that is happening," said Brown of his transition to Marlborough. "I've met with some of the trustees, and I believe we have a thoughtful and effective board."

Brown said he will meet with as many people as can during to the coming weeks to make a more informed transition to the hospital. 

"With health reform going on, the places that will be successful are those that improve the quality of their care while reducing costs effectively," he added. "Marlborough Hospital has those things in place and working for it, and I will be looking to continue moving the hospital forward."

Brown’s prior operational experience includes his direct oversight of the then $6 billion state Medicaid program at the beginning of the Romney Administration, during a time of severe fiscal crisis and organizational restructuring, said the release. During that time Brown managed a staff of more than 600 employees and led the development of a number of successful initiatives, which were largely adopted by the Legislature.

He holds a juris doctorate from Boston University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree in international relations/economics from Boston University. He was named by the Massachusetts Medical Law Report as a “Leader in Quality” in 2008, and in 2009 he was selected as New England "In-House Leader in the Law" by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly and New England In-House magazine," said the release. He was also selected as the 2009 recipient of the American Bar Association's “Outstanding In-House Counsel Award” for distinguished service by an attorney employed in a legal role at a nonprofit organization in the United States. 

A formal search committee has been formed to identify a new president and CEO of Marlborough Hospital. The committee is led by Bennett, and will include a number of the hospital’s trustees. Once a number of candidates have been identified additional trustees, medical staff and other staff will be included in the interview process, said the release.

It is estimated that this process will take six months to complete.

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