Robert J. Haffey, MBA, MSN, RN, has been named president and chief operating officer of Kent Hospital, a Care New England hospital, effective September 10, 2018. Haffey comes to Kent after serving as the president of Springfield, PA-based Delaware County Memorial Hospital, Taylor Hospital, and Crozer Keystone Health System Ambulatory Care Services since 2014.
Haffey’s appointment follows a national search led by Care New England senior leadership, physicians, staff, and management.
"With nearly 20 years of health care leadership experience, and a particular focus on quality in an acute care setting, Robert has a combination of skills and knowledge that stood out as we went through the process of selecting the right person for this important role,” said James E. Fanale, MD, president and chief executive officer, Care New England. “The diligence and hard work of our search team paid off, and we’re looking forward to Robert’s leadership at Kent as well as his role as part of the Care New England team.”
Dr. Fanale also expressed his thanks and appreciation to Raymond O. Powrie, MD, executive chief of medicine for Care New England, who is currently serving as interim president of Kent and chaired this search committee. Haffey has been associated with Crozer Keystone Health System since 2012, serving as chief nursing officer for the five-hospital system before moving to his current role in 2014. His efforts during his tenure resulted in financial stability, recruitment of key specialty physicians, and an increased referral base. Haffey’s five years of bedside nursing experience also give him an important understanding of hospital operations. Crozer Keystone Health System was acquired by Prospect Medical Holdings, Inc. in 2016.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to lead the tremendous group of dedicated professionals at Kent Hospital who remain focused on providing the highest quality, safest care for the patients and families in the surrounding communities,” said Haffey. “The next few years are critical for the future of both Kent and Care New England, and I’m thrilled to be part of it.”
Haffey received his master of business administration in health care administration from Eastern University in St. Davids, PA, and his master of science in nursing from LaSalle University in Philadelphia, PA.
Kent Hospital, a Care New England Hospital, is a 359-bed, acute care hospital. It is Rhode Island’s second largest hospital, serving approximately 300,000 residents of central Rhode Island.
A teaching affiliate of The University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kent offers programs in Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine and an Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine Fellowship. Kent’s redesigned Emergency Department (ED) sees approximately 70,000 patients a year and ranks Kent’s ED volume among the top 10-percent nationally. It was the first hospital in the state to eliminate the practice of ambulance diversion.