Montez Carter, the affable, sports-loving president and CEO of Trinity Health Of New England, is in his second year at the helm of the third-largest hospital operator in the state.
Carter began his career as a pharmacist, then moved into leadership roles within Michigan-based Trinity Health’s organization. He served as president and CEO of St. Mary’s Health Care System in Georgia before starting in his current role leading the group’s New England operations on Oct. 3, 2022.
He took the reins amid challenging times for health care, which continued in 2023 as two top executives at Trinity Health Of New England departed — the chief financial officer and president of its largest hospital, St. Francis in Hartford.
But, despite financial challenges, Carter told the Hartford Business Journal last November that he’s proud of the organization’s accomplishments, both for patients and staff.
In April, the Catholic healthcare system partnered with national nonprofit RIP Medical to erase $32.76 million worth of liabilities for 22,300 patients — a move in line with what he calls the organization’s “special affinity for those who are vulnerable and underserved.”
Also, Trinity has launched employee retention and recruitment efforts over the last year.
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One of those initiatives — a virtual nurse program — helps address both the worker shortage and patient experience. Experienced registered nurses, stationed remotely, now appear virtually on screens in patients’ rooms. They provide assistance to on-site care teams, while also mentoring and supporting new graduates.
Carter said Trinity Health has made it a priority to reach patients in their communities, such as by opening an ambulatory access center in Bloomfield in August. The facility, at 852 Cottage Grove Road, has both urgent and outpatient care centers.
Trinity also completed a $6 million renovation and expansion of its Enfield campus last year.
Infrastructure improvements are coming to St. Francis Hospital, too. Construction of a new 554-space, three-story parking garage will be completed this year, he said, making it easier for patients and staff to access the facility.