05.02.2016

Transition - Baystate Franklin

Cindy L. Russo, MS, RN, FACHE, has been named President/Chief Administrative Officer of  Baystate Franklin Medical Center/Baystate Health Northern Region, effective Tuesday, May 31.  Russo replaces Thomas Higgins, M.D., who has served as interim president since June 2015. 

Russo is currently VP of Operations for Central Region Hartford Healthcare, which includes five acute care hospitals. Previously she served as Hartford Healthcare’s director, clinical services; president/CEO MidState VNA & Hospice; and VP, patient care services/CNO. In 2009 Russo was promoted to SVP, operations at MidState Medical Center, a 144-bed community hospital. 

Russo has a BS in nursing from Western Connecticut State University and an MS in management from the Hartford Graduate Center; she is pursuing a Doctorate in Health Administration at Capella University, Minneapolis.

Effective May 31, Dr. Higgins, who also served as CMO while overseeing Baystate Franklin and the Northern Region, will have his CMO role expanded to include oversight at Baystate Noble Hospital, replacing Dr. Sarah Haessler who has been serving as interim CMO.