HARTFORD, Conn. — Excitement was in the air at Saint Francis Hospital on Thursday, as medical professionals, providers and local leaders gathered in the facility’s rotunda to celebrate new President Valerie Powell-Stafford, FACHE.
According to a release from Trinity Health, Powell-Stafford was formally welcomed during the ceremony as the president of Saint Francis Hospital and Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital in Hartford. She started in her role on June 1.
FACHE stands for Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives; the credential is the gold standard for board certification in health management. The distinction represents Powell-Stafford’s competency, commitment to service and exemplary ability to lead.
RELATED: U.S. News & World Report names Saint Francis Hospital one of the country's best regional hospitals
The gathering on July 18 included a blessing by the Most Reverend Christopher Coyne, archbishop of the Archdiocese of Hartford, and a gift presentation. The release said that numerous local and state leaders were on-hand, including U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn), Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz and state Rep. Joshua Hall (D-Hartford).
Trinity Health of New England President and CEO Montez Carter, PharmD, FACHE, said in the release that the staff is thrilled to welcome Powell-Stafford as president, adding that she brings extensive leadership experience, energy and enthusiasm that will benefit the existing team.
“As the health care industry continues to face obstacles, we are honored to have a new president at Saint Francis’ helm to carry on and further grow its more than 125-year legacy of bringing award-winning, high-quality care to those who need it most,” Carter said in the release.
Powell-Stafford was quoted in the release as saying that she is very excited to join the hospital’s family, which she said has a reputation for delivering high quality care and improving the health of the surrounding communities.
“Our talented physicians and colleagues are truly committed to living our mission and providing compassionate care,” Powell-Stafford said in the release. “I am looking forward to joining them in making a difference in the lives of our patients and the communities we have the privilege to serve.”
The release notes that Powell-Stafford previously served as president and CEO of HCA Northside Hospital in St. Petersburg, Fla. since 2019, during which time the hospital was named on Healthgrades’ America’s Best 250 Hospitals list and earned the Patient Safety Excellence Award for 2024. At the time of Powell-Stafford’s departure, the Florida hospital ranked among the top five percent of all hospitals for clinical performance and patient safety.
“Under her leadership, HCA Northside also earned 12 Specialty Five Star Excellence Awards from Healthgrades in 2024 and garnered numerous accolades from the American Heart Association, The Joint Commission and Leapfrog… Powell-Stafford was integral to the growth of HCA Northside,” the release said.
While at HCA Northside, Powell-Stafford “spearheaded the recruitment of new physicians, the implementation of a robotic surgical program, which recently celebrated its 500th case, and the development of a nursing school on the hospital campus,” according to the release.
She also established a Community Advisory Board, developed academic and community partnerships and reduced RN turnover by more than 20%, the release said.
Before entering HCA Northside, the release said Powell-Stafford held leadership positions at numerous HCA Healthcare Florida hospitals in roles such as CEO, COO, Ethics and Compliance officer, assistant administrator and program administrator.
By joining Saint Francis, Powell-Stafford is returning to Connecticut, where she began her career serving as an administrative fellow and associate director of Ambulatory Services at Yale New Haven Hospital.
According to the release, Powell-Stafford received her Master of Health Science Administration from the University of Michigan.
“She is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Past Governor and earned the organization’s Exemplary Service Award and Regent’s Award,” the release said. “Powell-Stafford was also the 2023 Woodson Museum of Florida First Lady in African American History Honoree and was named the 2022 Tampa Bay Businesswoman of the Year Honoree.”
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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