Vassar Brothers Medical Center names new president, its third in four years

Saba Ali, Poughkeepsie Journal
·2 min read

Vassar Brothers Medical Center will have a new president taking over the leadership role at Dutchess County's largest hospital, its third one in four years.

Nuvance Health named Susan L. Browning as Vassar Brothers' new leader. The hospital is among the county's largest employers.

Browning replaces Peter Kelly who is retiring after leading the hospital during much of the pandemic. Kelly also oversaw completion of the hospital's newest expansion, the patient pavilion. Before Kelly, Joseph Mullany was president for less than a year in 2020.

From left, the new expansion of Vassar Brothers Medical Center next to the legacy building in Poughkeepsie Dec. 30, 2020.
From left, the new expansion of Vassar Brothers Medical Center next to the legacy building in Poughkeepsie Dec. 30, 2020.

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Susan L. Browning, President of Vassar Brothers Medical Center.
Susan L. Browning, President of Vassar Brothers Medical Center.

Browning previously worked for Northwell Health as its senior vice president of ambulatory strategy and business development. She was also the executive director of the Long Island Jewish Forest Hills Hospital.

Browning arrives as the hospital is facing staffing issues as nurses and medical workers seek better working conditions and better pay, at the same time hospitals across the state are faced with long emergency room wait times. Nurses have been critical of how the hospital focused its resources on expansions and not on hiring and retention.

In 2020, Vassar Brothers Medical Center closed its pediatric unit after converting it to accommodate COVID-19 patients. Dutchess County was left without a hospital that offers inpatient services specifically for younger residents. The change prompted outcry from some area parents and pediatricians, after which MidHudson Regional opened its own pediatric center.

Member of the New York State Nurses Association picket outside Vassar Brothers Medical Center in the City of Poughkeepsie on August 2, 2022.
Member of the New York State Nurses Association picket outside Vassar Brothers Medical Center in the City of Poughkeepsie on August 2, 2022.

“I am committed to building upon the strong foundation and working with the team to provide the highest level of care to our patients. I also look forward to working with all of our Nuvance Health colleagues as we strive for excellence in these challenging times,” said Browning.

Browning will be responsible for operating the hospital, patient satisfaction and quality of care. She will also be working as the Western Regional President for Nuvance, with oversight over Northern Dutchess Hospital and Putnam Hospital.

Saba Ali; Sali1@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-451-4518.

This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Vassar Brothers names Susan Browning president