Amid its efforts to acquire three hospitals from Prospect medical and recent criticism over closing a daycare facility, Yale New Haven Health system declared Katherine Heilpern as the new president of Yale New Haven Hospital last week. Heilpern, formerly the chief operating officer of the Weill Cornell Division at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and chair of the emergency medicine department at Emory University School of Medicine, is set to assume her new role on March 11. Concurrently, Pamela Sutton-Wallace SPH ’97, previously the interim president of YNHH, will ascend to lead the entire system.
Heilpern, expressing her perspective, stated, “I’ve had leadership positions that have served on both sides of the academic healthcare coin… [which] gives me the opportunity to really understand life at the frontline, and the care that’s being delivered by the providers and how it feels on the side of patients and families.”
Arjun Venkatesh, the chair of emergency medicine, sees Heilpern’s appointment as a significant shift in YNHH’s leadership, especially since she will be one of the few women heading a hospital of its size, which is among the largest in the United States.
Regarding the ongoing developments, Heilpern mentioned that she is unaware of the controversy surrounding daycare closures and views the acquisitions as beyond her current role.
Despite concerns about the expansion, several YNHH officers express confidence in Heilpern and her ability to lead. Venkatesh believes her background as an emergency physician will provide a valuable perspective, emphasizing the importance of clinical experience in hospital leadership.
Alan Friedman, the chief medical officer, believes Heilpern’s clinical acumen will enhance patient care, emphasizing the need for high-quality, safe care. Venkatesh further highlights that Heilpern’s experience may help address overcrowding issues and other systemic challenges.
In an interview, Heilpern outlined her goal of delivering more accessible care and developing an efficient care continuum. She also aims to foster collaboration between various schools within the system to ensure quality care delivery.
With over 5000 medical personnel and nearly 15,000 staff members, Yale New Haven Hospital remains a significant healthcare institution amidst these changes.
