A longtime leader at MaineHealth will retire next year

The longtime CFO of MaineHealth, Albert G. Swallow III, will retire in early 2025, the health care system announced last week.

Swallow has held various leadership roles since 1994, when he began work at Maine Medical Center, the 700-bed flagship hospital of MaineHealth in Portland. He was appointed as chief financial officer in 2015.

Swallow has played a key role in many significant initiatives at MaineHealth, including its response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the formation and unification of the health care system itself.

"Al has had an unwavering commitment to our vision of ‘working together so our communities are the healthiest in America,’ and his impact will be felt for many years to come," said CEO Dr. Andy Mueller in a news release.

A Maine native and graduate of Thomas College in Waterville, Swallow has also been a prominent leader and mentor within the community.

He has chaired the boards of the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce and the United Way of Greater Portland, and has served as a board member for the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, Hospice of Southern Maine, Cancer Care Center of York County and the Maine Health Management Coalition.

In recognition of his decades of service, the American Heart Association honored Swallow with its Crystal Heart Award in March 2024.

"Al’s contributions to our state and our health system are immeasurable. We are incredibly grateful for his dedicated service and leadership," said Mueller.

MaineHealth will begin the search for Swallow’s successor later this spring.

MaineHealth, established in 1999, includes Maine Med and eight other hospitals, as well as numerous outpatient centers, labs and other facilities. The system employs 23,000 people and provides care to a population of 1.1 million people in Maine and New Hampshire.