Longevity name John Fernandez, Mass General Brigham executive, CEO
Lifespan, a nonprofit organization based in Providence, Rhode Island, has appointed John Fernandez as its next president and chief executive officer.
Fernandez is president of Mass Eye and Ear specialty hospitals and Mass General Brigham Integrated Care, both of the Boston-based Mass General Brigham health system. He succeeds Dr Timothy Babineau, who resigned in May after a decade leading Longevity. Arthur Sampson, who leads Lifespan’s Miriam Hospital and Newport Hospital, is interim president and chief executive officer.
Fernandez, who will begin his new role in early 2023, has led several efforts to expand ambulance services at Mass General, including the opening of a multispecialty care and surgery center faculty in Salem, New Hampshire. At Mass Eye and Ear, he implemented plans to increase surgical volume by more than 70% and quadruple research funding during his 16-year tenure. He also led a $252 million fundraising campaign.
Prior to holding his current position, Fernandez was vice president of Brigham and Women’s Hospital for surgical, imaging, oncology and other service lines.
Lifespan, in partnership with Brown University’s medical school, operates five hospitals, along with behavioral health provider Gateway Healthcare, Lifespan Physician Group and primary care clinic Coastal Medical. Earlier this year, Lifespan and Care New England, also in Providence, scrapped plans to merge after being opposed by federal and state officials, who argued the deal would lead to price increases.