CEO of Penobscot Valley Hospital, Crystal Landry, will step down in coming months

File PHOTo / Fred Field Crystal Landry, CEO of Penobscot Valley Hospital, will leave her position in the next few monhs in order to spend more time with her family.

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By William Hall

The CEO of Penobscot Valley Hospital is stepping down from that position and will leave the 25-bed health care provider in Lincoln sometime during the next three to six months.

Crystal Landry, a registered nurse who has worked for PVH since 2015, said she will resign in order to dedicate more time to her family.

"It has been an absolute honor to lead Penobscot Valley Hospital and work alongside its outstanding staff and medical providers," she said in a news release last week.

"Over the last nine years, including five as CEO, I have been deeply committed to elevating the quality of care we provide, facing challenges head-on, and embracing opportunities for growth. Now, as I prepare to focus on my family, who have been incredibly supportive throughout my tenure, I am confident that PVH is well-positioned for a bright future under new leadership."

Landry notified the hospital's board and leadership team of her decision, and they plan to soon begin recruiting for a new CEO.

"As we embark on the search for a new CEO, we are grateful for Crystal's leadership and unwavering dedication to both our hospital and the broader community," said Phillip Dawson, who chairs the board of directors. "Crystal's contributions have been invaluable, and they leave behind a legacy of compassion, innovation and strength."

Landry would not provide more detail about the timing of her departure, but told Mainebiz in an email, "I will remain in my position and will be working with the board and leadership team during this transition period to ensure a successful transition plan."

Founded in 1973, Penobscot Valley Hospital faced a serious challenge in 2015, as Landry was coming onboard. One of the major employers in the area, Lincoln Paper and Tissue LLC, began bankruptcy proceedings and ultimately closed.

The impact went further than that, as Landry said in 2021, the year she was honored as a Mainebiz Woman to Watch.

"When I joined PVH, I could see the financial challenges mounting as the town’s largest employer closed and many people lost their jobs. This economic change was felt as a ripple effect at PVH.

"In 2019, I accepted the role of CEO, and 10 days later we filed PVH into Chapter 11 bankruptcy with the goal of restructuring so that the hospital could remain open. That was something personally I knew was critical for the people who live in and visit our community."

Ultimately, the hospital emerged from Chapter 11 without laying off workers. Today, PVH employs about 175 people.

In the news release, the hospital said it will keep the community and stakeholders informed about progress of the CEO search and other details of the transition.

Landry added, "I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished together at PVH. As I prepare for this next chapter, I am confident that the hospital will continue to be a beacon of high-quality health care in our community. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this remarkable journey."