NMC names first female CEO Written By Administrator Friday, October 09, 2009 Berry Bowen official with Maine hospital   By Messenger Staff ST. ALBANS — The Board of Northwestern Medical Center (NMC) this morning announced the appointment of Jill Berry Bowen as the hospital’s new chief executive officer (CEO).     “We are very pleased that Jill has accepted the position," Judy Ashley-McLaughlin, NMC Board of Directors vice president and chairperson of the search committee, said in a press release issued today.     A native of Maine, Berry Bowen, the NMC’s first female CEO, most recently served as vice president of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer at Mercy Hospital in Portland, Maine.     Before that, she was chief operating officer for more than 10 years at Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington, Maine.     According to the NMC, she is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and has been an active leader in state and local health initiatives and community organizations. She has a master’s degree in nursing (M.S.N) and a master’s degree in business (MBA).     Her official start date at NMC is still to be determined.     "The NMC Board conducted a national search through our management services firm, QHR. We are confident that we have selected the right person to lead our hospital and community into the future,” said Ashley-McLaughlin.     Wesley Oswald has been serving as interim CEO for the hospital since June. Oswald was put in place by QHR when prior NMC CEO Peter Hofstetter accepted the hospital CEO position in Taos, New Mexico.     “Wes has worked closely and diligently with our employees, medical staff and board to provide a smooth transition.  His guidance and experience are greatly appreciated,” added Ashley-McLaughlin.     In a Web posting at Linked in Berry Bowen also lists eight years experience in nursing home administration and corporate program oversight at North Country Associates, which has some 20 assisted living and residential care facilities in Maine, and its corporate headquarters in Lewiston, Maine.     According to its Web site, Mercy Health System of Maine (Mercy), Berry Bowen’s current employer, includes four dedicated campuses, three of which have inpatient beds (230 beds total).     The Web site (www.mercyhospital.com) adds, “Each campus has a unique focus, but all work together to provide a broad mix of medical, surgical, and outpatient services. In addition, Mercy has a growing number of physician practice sites; offers several community-based programs and partners with the city in running the Portland Community Free Clinic.”     Mercy Hospital is a not-for-profit community hospital sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, Regional Community of Portland.      Established in 1918 by the Catholic Diocese of Portland and the Sisters of Mercy, Mercy Hospital’s mission is to provide compassionate, clinically excellent health care, especially to the poor and disadvantaged.     Mercy Hospital is a member of Catholic Health East, a multi-institutional Catholic health system serving communities through regional healthcare systems in 11 eastern states from Maine to Florida.     Berry Bowen’s Linked profile lists her specialties as program and leadership development and states as her goal: “To be the best hospital administrator respected by peers, providers and most importantly staff.”     As a personal goal she also adds: “Improve my golf handicap.”

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