Collins Named New CEO at Merrimack Valley Hospital

Haverhill, Mass. – Michael F. Collins, a 25-year veteran of the health care industry, has been named chief executive officer at Merrimack Valley Hospital.
“We are very pleased to welcome Michael to our corporate family,” said W. Hudson Connery, President and CEO of Essent Healthcare, Inc., the parent company of Merrimack Valley Hospital. “Michael brings many years of hospital finance and operations management experience to his new position. We are very fortunate to bring on board his unique understanding of health care in New England and of the trends particular to this part of the country.”
Collins has spent his entire hospital career in Massachusetts. Most recently, he was senior director of financial operations at Emerson Hospital in Concord. Previously, he was director of financial operations at both Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge and Choate Symmes Hospital in Arlington. He also has served in senior leadership roles at Cambridge Hospital in Cambridge and St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Brighton.
”Merrimack Valley Hospital has positioned itself for phenomenal growth and success.” said Collins. “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to lead the hospital as it continues to move forward. My emphasis will be on expanding clinical and specialty services, increasing the medical staff and focusing on the needs of the communities we serve.”
Collins earned a Master of Business Administration from Suffolk University and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Boston State College. He lives in Arlington with his wife Linda. They have 3 children, ages 26, 24 and 18. He will officially take over the role of CEO on June 4, 2007.

Merrimack Valley Hospital is a comprehensive medical facility featuring an award-winning 24-hour emergency department, inpatient acute care, and comprehensive diagnostic and outpatient services. MVH maintains 108 acute care beds, and 17 adult behavioral medicine beds; all are private rooms. More information can be found at www.merrimackvalleyhospital.com.

Essent Healthcare was founded in 1999 with the mission of acquiring community hospitals and providing them with financial resources and the expertise to grow. Essent hospitals include Merrimack Valley Hospital in Haverhill, Mass., Sharon Hospital in Sharon, Conn., Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer, Mass. and Paris Regional Medical Center in Paris, Texas. More information about Essent Healthcare is available at www.essenthealtcare.com.

For more information contact:  Mary O'Neil at 978-4201157