St. Joseph Healthcare announces new president, CEO from California-based medical firm [The Telegraph, Nashua, N.H.]

Jan. 22--NASHUA -- St. Joseph Healthcare has concluded its search for a new leader, choosing Dr. Richard Boehler, as its president and CEO starting April 1.

Boehler comes to Nashua from Medeanalytics, a California-based healthcare software technology company where he serves as chief medical officer for provider solutions.

"The selection of Dr. Boehler was a unanimous one by the search committee in a field of excellent candidates," said Louise Trottier, chairperson of the St. Joseph Hospital board of directors, in a statement. "Board members, the medical staff and leadership from both St. Joseph Healthcare and Covenant were involved in his selection. All who participated in the search process were impressed with Dr. Boehler's credentials, experience and accomplishments."

Boehler comes to St. Joseph Hospital, a 208-bed hospital on Kinsley Street, after former President and CEO David Ross resigned abruptly last August, citing a series of family medical problems as the cause for stepping down. He was hired in May 2010.

James Hamill, former CEO of Maryland-based Meritus Health, and member of Covenant Health Systems' board of directors, which owns St. Joseph Hospital, has been serving as interim CEO since Ross stepped down.

"Dr. Boehler is an impressive physician leader," Hamill said in a statement. "I am confident that Dr. Boehler will be a good fit for the organization, the system and the communities we serve."

Boehler is a physician executive with more than 20 years of healthcare leadership experience, including stints as vice president of medical affairs and chief medical officer at St. Joseph Medical Center in Towson, Md., and senior vice president and chief medical officer at Kennedy Health System in Voorhees, N.J.

He began his career as an internal medicine physician in Albany, N.Y., in 1983, after graduating in 1980 from Albany Medical College in Albany, N.Y.

He earned his MBA from SUNY Empire State College in 2004 and also holds an MS, Ed.S. degree in counseling and personnel services from SUNY at Albany, N.Y.

Boehler also is a distinguished physician educator who has held academic appointments at Harvard Medical School, Johns Hopkins Medical School, Albany Medical College and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. He is a fellow of the American College of Physician Executives and a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

He was named "Best Samaritan" in 1999 by Hudson Valley Magazine for his community service to the homeless and chemically addicted, and The Daily Record, of Maryland, recently selected Boehler as a 2010 "Health Care Hero" for his work in mortality reduction and health care for the uninsured.

Boehler and his wife, Jill, are expected to relocate to the Nashua area in the coming weeks, the hospital said.

They have three children and three grandchildren.

"I am delighted to be joining such a truly special organization," Boehler said in a statement. "St. Joseph Healthcare is well- positioned to continue to lead the way in innovative, high-quality care for the residents of the region. My wife, Jill, and I are looking forward to becoming part of such a great community."

Maryalice Gill can be reached at 594-6490 or mgill@nashuatelegraph.com. Also, follow Gill on Twitter (@Telegraph_MAG).

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