Upton Joins Brigham Health as VP of Network Development

Melinda Upton

Melinda Upton, MS, joined Brigham Health as vice president of Network Development on Jan. 23, succeeding Anne Fitzgerald, who recently retired.

As vice president for Network Development, Upton will lead Brigham Health’s network development strategies by strengthening current partnerships and developing new relationships with health care systems and other hospitals and medical groups. In collaboration with executive leaders within Partners HealthCare, she will represent the Brigham in the development of Partners’ network strategic planning.

Most recently, as chief growth officer at MetroWest Medical Center, Upton executed strategies to launch new clinical programs, strengthen relationships with community physicians and hospitals, and leverage relationships with academic medical centers. One of her most notable achievements was leading the hospital’s process to form a strategic alliance between MetroWest and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, which went into effect in October 2016. This successful effort required intensive planning and close collaboration with academic partner leaders, physicians and other stakeholders.

Upton’s customer service focus and collaborative approach, along with her communication and analytic skills will help Brigham Health achieve its network development strategies with internal and external partners.

Hayes Leaves BWH and DFCI for New Opportunity

Carolyn Hayes

Carolyn Hayes, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, associate chief nurse for Oncology, Medical and Integrative Nursing at BWH and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI), left BWH and DFCI on Jan. 31 to pursue a new opportunity: launching a nonprofit integrative nursing community in the Greater Boston area. Both BWH and DFCI will be integral to the efforts of the nonprofit, which will work to advance the science and practice of integrative nursing.

Hayes has been involved in integrative nursing since her doctoral studies began in 1994, including teaching, research and publications on integrative nursing. She began her tenure at BWH in January 2000 as a nurse researcher for the then newly launched Center for Excellence in Nursing Practice (now the Center for Nursing Excellence). Since 2004, Hayes has served as a nurse leader for both BWH and DFCI, ensuring continuity of care across the ambulatory and acute care continuum for oncology patients in a unique and comprehensive cancer center joint venture. Hayes assumed nursing leadership in general medicine, medical intensive care, research and for patients in the pavilion as her tenure progressed.

She completed the Harvard Medical School Fellowship in Medical Ethics and the Harvard Business School Brigham Leadership Program and was selected for and completed a three-year Robert Wood Johnson Executive Nurse Fellowship.

Joanne Hogan, DNP, MS, RN, associate chief nurse for Ambulatory Nursing and Care Coordination, will provide interim coverage for oncology. Mary Lou Etheredge, MS, RN, PMHCNS-BC, executive director of Nursing Practice Development, will provide interim coverage for medicine, the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) and Tower 9AB. Both Hogan and Etheredge will also continue their responsibilities in their current roles.

Pierro to Leave BWH to Join Steward Health Care System

John Pierro

John Pierro, senior vice president of Operations and Facilities, is leaving the Brigham to become chief operating officer of Steward Health Care System’s hospital division. His last day at the Brigham is Feb. 17.

At Steward Health Care System, Pierro will oversee operations for nine hospitals and participate in the system’s strategy for expanding nationally.

Pierro joined BWH in 2015 to oversee Construction & Planning, Engineering, Environmental Affairs, Environmental Services, Central Transport Services, Food Services, Materials Management, Security, Parking and Support Services operations. During his time here, Pierro helped to lead the revitalization of the BWH campus, with the opening of the Building for Transformative Medicine and the new BWH Garden Cafe, as well as the exterior of BWH’s main entrance at 75 Francis St. and upgrades to the Pike and other areas.

In addition to his responsibilities in leading facilities and operations, Pierro recently began working with the chairs and department administrators as the senior vice president for Radiology and Radiation Oncology.