Mass General Brigham names next Wentworth-Douglass Hospital president
DOVER — Mass General Brigham announced it has named Darin C. Roark, an executive with more than 23 years of health care experience currently working in Florida, as Wentworth-Douglass Hospital's next president and chief operating officer effective July 24.
Roark will succeed Jeff Hughes, the current Wentworth-Douglass president and COO, who has led the hospital since 2020. Hughes announced his retirement in March and will continue to serve in a consultant role during the transition, according to Mass General Brigham's press release. Hughes served more than a decade with Wentworth-Douglass, dating back to before 2017, when the Dover hospital was acquired by Mass General.
Roark is currently in a dual role as hospital president of Baptist Medical Center Clay in Fleming Island, Florida, and system vice president of ambulatory campuses and emergency services for Baptist Health, a nonprofit health system headquartered in Jacksonville, according to a press release announcing his hiring. Mass General Brigham credits Roark with overseeing "tremendous growth" at Baptist Health, "leading the emergency department service line through a rise in tens of thousands of annual visits, while overseeing the addition of three new satellite ERs and an inpatient bed tower."
“Darin's extensive experience in health care management aligns perfectly with the mission and vision of Wentworth-Douglass Hospital and Mass General Brigham,” said Dr. Gregg Meyer, president of Mass General Brigham’s community division, in a prepared statement. “With his strong leadership and collaborative approach, we are confident that he will further enhance the hospital's ability to serve the community and provide exceptional care."
"I am deeply honored and excited to join an organization with such a strong reputation for providing outstanding healthcare services — and I am committed to building on that legacy,” Roark said in a prepared statement. “I look forward to working closely with the talented team at Wentworth-Douglass as they continue to deliver high-quality care, improve patient outcomes, and strengthen our bonds with the Seacoast community."
More Dover news: 88 city and school employees made $100K-plus in 2022: Here's list of all salaries
Roark previously served as vice president of Baptist’s oncology service line and administrator of the emergency service line. He also worked as director of emergency services at Orange Park Medical Center and held leadership and nursing positions in Illinois and Wisconsin.
“Darin’s commitment to community health, and his dedication to serving patients, are central to his leadership approach. He recognizes the importance of building strong relationships with medical staff, employees, and community stakeholders to ensure the community has access to exceptional health care,” said Dr. David Roberts, president and COO of Mass General Brigham Medical Group, in a prepared statement. “He will be an excellent addition to Wentworth-Douglass and the surrounding community.”
"Darin brings exceptional leadership skills and a deep understanding of the healthcare landscape. His strategic mindset and unwavering dedication to patient-centered care make him the perfect candidate to lead Wentworth-Douglass Hospital into the future,” added John Salmon, chairman of Wentworth-Douglass’ board of trustees, also in a prepared statement. “We are thrilled to welcome Darin and his family to the Seacoast."
Roark has a bachelor of arts in business marketing from North Central College and a bachelor of science in nursing from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He also has a masters of business administration from Northern Illinois University and is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Roark, his wife Natasha, and their three children will be relocating to the Seacoast area, according to the press release.
Hughes was praised for his work leading Wentworth-Douglass.
“Jeff was instrumental in bringing Wentworth-Douglass into the Mass General Brigham system back in 2017, and has remained at the forefront of our integration efforts ever since,” Meyer said in a prepared statement. “We would like to again thank him for his significant contributions to the success of Wentworth-Douglass, his commitment to our patients on the Seacoast, and wish him well in retirement.”
This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Mass General Brigham names next Wentworth-Douglass Hospital president
