Charest steps down from Landmark after 40 years
President and CEO since 2008, Richard Charest guided hospital through receivership
WOONSOCKET – Longtime healthcare leader and hospital CEO Richard R. Charest, president of Landmark Medical Center, has announced his retirement.
“It is with a profound sense of accomplishment that I am announcing my retirement after over 40 years at both Landmark Medical Center and the Rehabilitation Hospital of Rhode Island,” Charest said. “It is now time for me to begin the next chapter of my life.”
Charest began working at Landmark in his teens, as an orderly and a dishwasher. He went on to serve as the director of pharmacy and continued to take on new roles and greater responsibilities.
In 2000, he was named president and CEO of Landmark’s North Smithfield-based sister facility, the Rehabilitation Hospital of Rhode Island, a position he still holds today.
A graduate of Northeastern University with a bachelor of science in pharmacy and Bryant University with a masters in business administration, he became president of Landmark in 2007 and CEO in 2008.
“Rick has built a reputation as a strategic, results-oriented executive – a visionary leader with a passion for quality, patient safety and service excellence,” said Dr. Glenn Fort, chief medical officer at Landmark Medical Center. “Charest’s record of organizational leadership and success includes the development and implementation of financial and operational turnaround strategies, the development of tertiary-level programs, and negotiation of innovative partnerships with external organizations.
A native of northern Rhode Island, Charest served on numerous boards including the governing body of the Rhode Island chapter of the American Heart Association and an advisory board at St. Antoine Residence. He has held board appointments at the Rhode Island Blood Center, the Hospital Association of Rhode Island, Rhode Island Drug Utilization Review Board, Rhode Island Board of Pharmacy and the Visiting Nurse Service of Greater Woonsocket.
His commitment to the community spans decades and has resulted in a better life for many citizens, hospital officials say.
A defining moment for Charest was the acquisition of Landmark Medical Center in 2013 by Prime Healthcare, which rescued the facility from insolvency and converted it to the state’s first forprofit hospital..
“With Prime Healthcare’s generous assistance, both of our organizations and 1,200 jobs were saved,” said Charest. “The mission of pro- viding care for northern Rhode Island will continue for generations to come.”
Michael Souza, president of the Hospital Association of Rhode Island, said Charest’s “keen business acumen” and “deep knowledge” of the healthcare industry are the hallmarks of a remarkable career. His opinion is sought out be many colleagues in the field.
“During his tenure, Rick guided Landmark Medical Center through turbulent times for six years during bankruptcy,” said Dr. Prem Reddy, president of the Californiabased Prime Healthcare group of hospitals. “He transitioned the hospital to Prime Healthcare and led the hospital through a successful turnaround, turning Landmark into a stable community asset offering quality, compassionate care.”
Reddy said, “I would like to thank Rick for his unwavering commitment to Landmark Medical Center and the Rehabilitation Hospital of Rhode Island and wish him the very best in his retirement.”
Charest met his wife, Christine, at Landmark Medical Center. They have been married more than 40 years and have two children.
Charest said he looks forward to spending more time with his children and grandchildren in the future.
Hospital officials say Charest has not settled on a departure date. But they are in the process of recruiting a successor.