Christopher O'Connor to become CEO of Yale New Haven Health

New Haven, CT (Sept. 15, 2021) – Christopher O’Connor has been named the CEO of Yale New Haven Health (YNHHS), effective March 25, 2022 when current CEO Marna P. Borgstrom retires, announced Vince Calarco, Chair of the YNHHS Board of Trustees. O’Connor currently serves as president of the Health System having been named to that position in August of 2020.

“The Board of Trustees has thoughtfully prepared for a transition and sought nationally the best and most qualified person in healthcare to lead YNHHS. Chris O’Connor is that person,” said Calarco. “I have worked with Chris over the years and know that his talent, experience and vision will ensure the continued success of the Health System.”

Prior to joining YNHHS in 2012, O’Connor served as president and CEO of the Hospital of Saint Raphael prior to its integration with Yale New Haven Hospital. From 2012 until 2020, O’Connor served as the executive vice president and chief operating officer for YNHHS.

“I am honored to take the helm of a strong and vibrant health system, whose potential is enormous despite the very real challenges facing all of us in healthcare,” said O’Connor. “Marna has led the growth of this Health System for so many years, earning the respect and dedication of her peers and our employees.  Working in broad partnership and collaboration with Yale University, Yale School of Medicine and Yale Medicine we will build upon that foundation and dedicate ourselves to an unwavering commitment to excellence and creativity,” said O’Connor.

Prior to being named president and CEO of the Hospital of Saint Raphael in 2009, O’Connor served as president of Caritas St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts. Before that, he was the vice president of clinical operations for Ochsner Clinic Foundation in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he was part of a leadership team that guided that organization though the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

“Chris is an extraordinary person who is widely recognized for his leadership skills and strategic insights,” said Borgstrom. “I am confident that I am leaving Yale New Haven Health in the best possible hands.”

O’Connor assumed the role of president of the YNHH in the midst of the COVID pandemic and oversaw the reorientation of the Regional Operations Center from a central supply hub to a center for COVID operations including supplies and equipment. He led the charge to have PPE, medical supplies and critical equipment ordered, delivered, verifying for safety and distributed to hospitals in the health system.

As chief operating officer for Yale New Haven Health, O’Connor led a number of critical initiatives involving the Health System’s growth, including the affiliation with Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in 2016 and the acquisition of Milford Hospital by Bridgeport Hospital in 2019. O’Connor also serves on the Boards of Greenwich Hospital and Northeast Medical Group; and previously served on the Lawrence + Memorial Health Board.

O’Connor received both his bachelor’s degree and his master’s degree in Hospital Administration from George Washington University. He is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and serves as vice chair of the Connecticut Hospital Association.  O’Connor recently served as president of the Board of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts.