Exeter Health Resources’ President and CEO Kevin Callahan names Deb Cresta as successor
EXETER — Kevin Callahan is stepping down after serving 37 years as the president and CEO of Exeter Health Resources.
Callahan announced his departure Monday and named his successor. Deb Cresta is the new president of Exeter Health Resources and its affiliates, effective July 17. Cresta had been serving as the chief operating officer and executive vice president.
The news comes as Exeter Health Resources Inc., which includes Exeter Hospital, Core Physicians, and Rockingham Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice, officially became part of Beth Israel Lahey Health (BILH) July 1.
“I am extremely confident in Deb’s ability and commitment to serve as my successor, and to represent Exeter and the New Hampshire communities we serve in the larger BILH system,” Callahan said in a prepared statement.
Previous story: Exeter Health Resources officially joins Beth Israel Lahey Health
Callahan worked for Exeter Health Resources for 42 years. He spent the last five years looking for a strategic affiliation to ensure the long-term sustainability of the 125-year-old hospital.
Exeter Health Resources signed a definitive agreement to join Beth Israel Lahey Health in Massachusetts on June 28, 2022, which followed separate approval by the boards of each organization. Callahan said at the time the affiliation will allow Exeter Health Resources to become "cost-efficient" and offer "more value where every single dollar is spent on health care." As part of the merger, Beth Israel Lahey Health has committed to maintain and grow access to clinical services, making an overall $375 million capital investment over 10 years.
“I am pleased to leave the organizations in positions of strength as part of BILH and as such, to continue their evolution as essential parts of the fabric of our community under Deb’s leadership,” Callahan said. “Although my work is now complete, the memories I depart with will persist, knowing that working together we have made a positive difference in the lives of so many generations of New Hampshire residents.”
Deb Cresta has worked for Exeter for more than 30 years
Cresta has worked for Exeter for more than 30 years, during which time she has helped to lead the organization through some of its most difficult and challenging times, including the COVID-19 pandemic. As president of Exeter Health, Cresta will become an integral part of BILH’s executive structure, and carries the full support of both Exeter’s local Board of Trustees and BILH’s executive leadership team.
“We are thrilled to have Exeter Health Resources as part of our Beth Israel Lahey Health family and know that, with Deb Cresta as president, Exeter will continue to build on its legacy of high-quality, compassionate care in the community,” said Kevin Tabb, president and CEO of Beth Israel Lahey Health, in a prepared statement.
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Tabb thanked Callahan for his more than 40 years of service and leadership.
“Kevin’s thoughtful stewardship of Exeter has helped make it the exceptional, highly respected organization it is today,” Tabb said.
Cresta has a bachelor of science degree in communication disorders, as well as a master’s degree in speech pathology from the University of New Hampshire. Cresta also holds an executive certificate in management and leadership from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Sloan School of Management. She is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, American Medical Group Association and the Medical Group Management Association and was named to NH’s TOP Women-Led Non Profits in 2019.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Exeter Health Resources’ CEO Kevin Callahan steps down after 37 years
