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Updated: May 31, 2023

Northern Light promotes 'dynamic leader' to head EMMC

Just two months after the resignation of its former president, Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center in Brewer has found a new one from within its own ranks.

Gregory LaFrancois, who serves as president at Northern Light AR Gould Hospital in Presque Isle, will become Eastern Maine Medical Center’s next president as of July 1.

He replaces Rand O’Leary, who stepped down as president of EMMC earlier this year to accept a position at Henry Ford Health Wyandotte Hospital, a general hospital in Wyandotte, in his home state of Michigan.

person in suit and tie
Courtesy / Northern Light Health
Gregory LaFrancois.

LaFrancois will continue to serve as a senior vice president for Northern Light Health.

“Greg’s understanding of Maine’s health care environment, coupled with his passion for engagement with staff, are exciting additions to the EMMC leadership team,” said Northern Light Health president and CEO Tim Dentry, who has been serving as EMMC’s interim president since April 1.

Dentry said LaFrancois is a “dynamic leader who embraces challenge” as well as a “patient-focused leader who fosters cultures of learning and growth.” 

AR Gould Hospital’s accomplishments during LaFrancois’s tenure included meeting a $220,000 fundraising goal to buy a state-of-the-art cardiac telemonitoring system, an upgraded dialysis center and purchasing the first 3D mammography machine in Aroostook County, 

LaFrancois was selected as president following a rigorous search, during which several candidates from various backgrounds were interviewed. 

The selection process was guided by a search committee led by Heather Furth, chair of the EMMC board of trustees. The interview process involved providers, nurses and team members from many areas throughout the medical center. Others who participated were Northern Light Health board members, hospital leadership, staff and members of the community.

Dentry said LaFrancois has a “deep understanding of the needs of rural Maine communities” that make him a particularly good fit for the role. 

“Eastern Maine Medical Center is so important to all our rural hospitals,” said LaFrancois. “I have relied on EMMC to coordinate the full spectrum of care for our communities in Aroostook County.”

He added, “I deeply value the skills and knowledge staff bring to work each day and pledge to  continue to be a highly visible and accessible leader.”

With more than 25 years as a health care leader, LaFrancois’s background includes serving at Johns Hopkins, the United States Health System in Seoul, Walter Reed Health Care and the Office of the Army Surgeon General in Virginia. 

Before joining Northern Light Health in 2016, he served as president and CEO at Saint Aloisius Medical Center in North Dakota.

Jay Reynolds, a senior physician executive at AR Gould Hospital, will assume interim leadership there, effective July 1, while a search for a new president is underway.

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