When Yale New Haven Hospital’s board launched a national search to replace retiring current President Richard D’Aquila, it found someone close to home.
Dr. Keith B. Churchwell will be taking over the position after D’Aquila departs Oct. 5. Churchwell is currently the hospital’s chief operating officer and executive vice president.
In the coming weeks, D’Aquila will be working with Churchwell to ensure a seamless leadership transition.
“I am humbled and honored that I was asked to take on this role, and I will be working closely with Rick over the next couple of months,” Churchwell said during a press conference Friday.
According to Churchwell, the hospital has been a place of innovation and collaboration, particularly during the COVID-19 crisis, and he hopes to expand this in the future.
“I want to support our people so they feel this is a great place for them to work, grow and fulfill their dreams,” Churchwell said.
Churchwell is board certified in internal medicine and cardiovascular disease. He came to YNHH in 2015, having previously served at Vanderbilt University as executive director and chief medical officer of the Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute.
“From the moment I arrived here in January of 2015, I knew this was a special place, filled with outstanding talent and individuals who were fully dedicated to the patients we serve,” Churchwell said. “I am extremely enthusiastic about the future and the role of YNHH can play in transforming the delivery of healthcare.”
Marna P. Borgstrom, CEO of Yale New Haven Health, said Churchwell has the perfect skills to advance YNHH as both a teaching hospital and critical resource to the community.
“He has distinguished himself as a strategic thinker, thoughtful colleague and collaborator,” Borgstrom said. “We are fortunate to have someone with his level of clinical and administrative excellence serve as the new president of YNHH.”
Churchwell is a member of the national board of directors of the American Heart Association. He is known for his weekend “Walk with a Doc” sessions in the Dixwell and Newhallville neighborhoods of New Haven.
Mary C. Farrell, chair of YNHH’s board of directors, called Churchwell the perfect choice to succeed D’Aquila.
“When we looked around the country for candidates for this position, we saw a number of exceptionally talented leaders,” Farrell said. “However, it became quickly evident that we already had the best person right here in New Haven. His skills, talents and strategic vision blended with his exceptional clinical background make Keith the smart and obvious choice.”
Borgstrom said D’Aquila agreed to delay his retirement until the board could find a replacement.
D’Aquila first came to YNHH in 2006 to serve as chief operating officer. According to his colleagues, he helped establish a robust relationship with Yale Medicine and the Yale School of Medicine. Borgstrom also noted D’Aquila’s efforts leading the integration of the Hospital of St. Raphael into Yale New Haven Hospital.
“Over the last 14 years we have accomplished so much and really put Yale New Haven Hospital and Yale New Haven Health in an incredibly strong position nationally,” D’Aquila said. “It has been the greatest privilege of my career to work with some of the most extraordinary and caring leaders anywhere in the country.”
Contact Michelle Tuccitto Sullo at msullo@newhavenbiz.com.
