Another NLH leader out, officials say some jobs to be outsourced

BANGOR, Maine (WABI) -Another leader at Northern Light Health is out as of Friday, the third announced this week.

At the same time, we’re learning the hospital will begin outsourcing some jobs.

Hospital officials say Mike Smith’s role as president of Northern Light Health Foundation and vice president of Northern Light Health has been eliminated.

They say, Charlie Therrien, the president of Mercy Hospital in Portland and senior VP of Northern Light Health, will take over his responsibilities.

They say this was “one of several difficult but necessary decisions” as they work to reduce operating expenses.

Their goal is to “establish a smaller, more nimble leadership team.”

Therrien will continue as president of Mercy Hospital.

In a press release, Suzanne Spruce, Senior VP/Chief Marketing, and Communications Officer, says, “In his newly expanded role as senior vice president and regional president, Charlie will now be responsible for the duties of the president of the Foundation, in addition to his role as president of Mercy Hospital. To provide daily leadership to the Foundation team, Cynthia Faulkner’s role has been expanded to provide operational oversight.”

Earlier this week, the hospital announced its food and environmental services will be outsourced to Compass One at the beginning of next year.

Spruce also said in an email to TV5, “For several months Northern Light Health has been implementing changes to transform care delivery and access to address patient needs. Changes are designed to provide high-quality, consistent care for patients; to invest in critical staff and equipment; and ensure access to healthcare for the people of Maine – today and in the future. Some of these changes affect the administrative structure of the organization, such as the leadership changes announced this week where we consolidated three senior leadership roles and asked the leaders of Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center, Northern Light Inland Hospital, and Northern Light Foundation to resign their positions. These changes reduce operational costs while creating shared oversight roles and responsibilities to better align services – for our communities and our staff.”

Spruce also said, “Others, like our new relationship with Compass One, which was announced Tuesday of this week, reduce costs through alignment and efficiencies in operational functions while creating new opportunities for team members in support services. Compass One will facilitate food and nutrition services, as well as environmental services, in our acute care facilities starting January 1, 2025. There are no layoffs associated with this new relationship and all affected employees will have the opportunity to transition their employment to Compass One.”

This week, at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, Gregory LaFrancois stepped down after a little more than a year on the job.

Taking his place in an interim role immediately will be Ava Collins, who joined Northern Light in June as the leader of the Cancer Care service line.

In Waterville, Northern Light Inland Hospital and Lakewood Facility President Tricia Costigan resigned from her role as president.

Here is the full statement about the latest leadership change:

Northern Light Health Foundation Changes Leadership

Bangor, Maine (October 18, 2024) — Northern Light Health announces that Mike Smith’s role of president of Northern Light Health Foundation and vice president of Northern Light Health has been eliminated and his responsibilities have been transitioned to the leadership of another Northern Light Health leader, Charlie Therrien.  This action was one of several difficult but necessary decisions that have been carried out this week as Northern Light Health works to reduce operating expenses and establish a smaller, more nimble leadership team.

Charlie Therrien’s most recent role has been as Northern Light Health senior vice president and president of Northern Light Mercy Hospital. In his newly expanded role as senior vice president and regional president, Charlie will now be responsible for the duties of the president of the Foundation, in addition to his role as president of Mercy Hospital. To provide daily leadership to the Foundation team, Cynthia Faulkner’s role has been expanded to provide operational oversight.

Cynthia Faulkner is an experienced philanthropy and public affairs leader whose extensive background working with national and regional foundations, corporations, and individuals make her an authority on development and execution of effective fundraising, communications, and advocacy strategies. Through her time as a consultant and her roles as director of philanthropy for Northern Light Mercy Hospital and vice president of philanthropy services, she has gained a thorough understanding of every member organization in our system.

Recognizing the valuable role that philanthropy plays in healthcare, this new executive structure of Northern Light Health Foundation will encourage further collaboration across the system, create administrative efficiencies, and allow for good stewardship of scarce resources during these economic times.

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