John Murphy, MD, president and CEO of Danbury, Conn.-based Nuvance Health, will retire at the end of December, concluding a healthcare career that spans more than four decades.
Dr. Murphy has led the seven-hospital system since its formation in 2019 through the merger of Western Connecticut Health Network and Health Quest, according to an Oct. 13 health system news release.
He guided Nuvance through its May merger with New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based Northwell Health. The integrated system now has 28 hospitals and a $22.6 billion operating budget.
Under Dr. Murphy’s leadership, Nuvance has seen rising patient satisfaction scores and employee and physician engagement. He practiced as a neurologist before assuming administrative leadership roles.
As part of the system’s efforts to retain and engage physicians, Nuvance created a mentorship program pairing more experienced physicians with early career colleagues. Several times a year, mentors meet with Dr. Murphy to anonymously share physician concerns and the areas leadership should address.
“It gave the senior docs an enormous amount of pride and respect that they were helping build bridges based upon the wealth of experience that they have,” Dr. Murphy told Becker’s in April.
Effective Jan. 1, Michelle Robertson, current COO of Nuvance Health, will serve as market president for the Nuvance region under Northwell’s unified leadership model, the release said.
Dr. Murphy’s role as CEO will not be replaced. Northwell Health CEO John D’Angelo, MD, who succeeded Michael Dowling on Oct. 1, will oversee the combined organization.
