Lawrence + Memorial VP named Newport Hospital president

CRISTA DURAND will succeed August Cordeiro as the president of Newport Hospital, Lifespan told Providence Business News Tuesday. Dr. Timothy J. Babineau, president and CEO of Lifespan, said her commitment to community hospitals made her an ideal choice for the position. / COURTESY LAWRENCE + MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
CRISTA DURAND will succeed August Cordeiro as the president of Newport Hospital, Lifespan told Providence Business News Tuesday. Dr. Timothy J. Babineau, president and CEO of Lifespan, said her commitment to community hospitals made her an ideal choice for the position. / COURTESY LAWRENCE + MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

NEWPORT – Crista Durand will serve as the next president of Newport Hospital effective Aug. 1, Lifespan told Providence Business News Tuesday.

Newport, part of the Lifespan health system and the only hospital on Aquidneck Island, had been without a permanent president since August Cordeiro, who served for four years before going on medical leave in November 2013, stepped down permanently from the position in January.

Arthur Sampson, president of Lifespan affiliate Miriam Hospital, acted as interim president of Newport Hospital in addition to his duties at Miriam during the half-year national search for Cordeiro’s successor.

Durand, a seasoned hospital executive, most recently served as vice president of strategic planning, marketing and business development at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London, Conn.

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“Crista’s leadership skills and proven track record of developing and growing new lines of business in a challenging health care environment made her an obvious choice to be the new president of Newport Hospital,” said Dr. Timothy J. Babineau, president and CEO of Lifespan, in a statement. “Even more important is her passionate commitment to community hospitals and her strong belief that community hospitals can thrive within a broader system framework.”

Durand, who grew up in eastern Connecticut, is no stranger to Newport, having received her undergraduate degree in financial management from Salve Regina University, and she said serving as hospital president was especially meaningful to her given the character of the town.

“Newport is a special place with strong community ties,” Durand said. “I’m proud to serve as the next president of Newport Hospital, where together we can enhance the patient experience, recruit new physicians and strategically develop programs and services.”

Before serving at Lawrence + Memorial, Durand was chief financial officer and senior vice president at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam, Conn. She holds a master’s degree in business administration from Nichols College in Dudley, Mass., and serves on numerous health care boards.

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