Landmark officially names new president
WOONSOCKET – Landmark Medical Center on Thursday formally announced the arrival of Michael R. Souza, outgoing president of the Hospital Association of Rhode Island, as the next president and CEO of the Cass Avenue hospital and the Rehabilitation Hospital of Rhode Island in North Smithfield.
Effective Monday, he succeeds recently retired president and CEO Richard Charest, the hospital said in a statement.
Souza has more than 20 years of experience in hospital administration, including a stint at Landmark. From January 2001 to March 2007, Souza oversaw several different aspects of hospital operations, including system reimbursement, contracting and revenue analysis. He was also director of financial planning during that period.
“I am looking forward to returning to Landmark for many reasons,” Souza said. “My history there was beneficial to my career growth and I look forward to working with the medical staff and employees at a leadership level. Most importantly, with Prime Healthcare’s dedication, Landmark continues to be a vibrant community asset. I share its vision, to continue operating on the cutting edge, without losing the feel of a community hospital.”
Souza was referring to the owner of the two local hospitals, Prime Healthcare Services, a 44-hospital chain headquartered in California. Souza arrives at Landmark as Prime presses two major petitions before the state Department of Health that would affect hospital operations – one to convert the hospitals from for-profit to nonprofit status, another to establish an $11.3 million Level III Trauma Center at Landmark.
Souza’s exit from the Hospital Association of Rhode Island also triggered a shakeup at the General Assembly, because Senate President Teresa Paiva-Weed of Newport is stepping down to become president of the hospital group. HARI is a statewide trade organization that assists members through advocacy and education, according to Carolyn Kyle, spokeswoman for Landmark.
Souza joined HARI in 2009 as senior vice president and had served as president
since 2014.
“In this capacity, Souza developed an expertise in today’s complex healthcare landscape that is second to none,” Landmark said.
Prior to joining HARI, Souza had worked as a career training consultant with Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare in Quincy, Mass.
“Michael has the expertise and business acumen to take the helm as CEO of Landmark Medical Center and the Rehabilitation Hospital of Rhode Island,” said Bryan Burklow, regional chief operations officer of Prime Healthcare Services. “Both organizations are poised for continued growth and prosperity. We are very pleased that Mike will be joining Prime Healthcare Services as we continue to invest in the Rhode Island community.”
Michael Souza earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth, and a master’s in management from Bridgewater State College in Bridgewater, Mass.
Originally known as Woonsocket Hospital, Landmark Medical Center is a 214-bed acute care hospital. RHRI is an 82-bed rehabilitation hospital in North Smithfield. The facilities had been in receivership for more than five years when Prime acquired them in a $62 million, court-approved deal in 2013.