Christopher O’Connor has been named CEO of Yale New Haven Health System, effective March 25, 2022, when current CEO Marna P. Borgstrom retires. O’Connor is currently president of the Health System, having been named to that position in August 2020.
“The Board of Trustees has thoughtfully prepared for a transition and sought nationally the best and most-qualified person in health care to lead YNHHS. Chris O’Connor is that person,” said Vince Calarco, chair, YNHHS Board of Trustees. “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.”
Before joining YNHHS in 2012, O’Connor was president and CEO of the Hospital of Saint Raphael, prior to its integration with Yale New Haven Hospital. From 2012 until 2020, O’Connor was 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 health care,” 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.”
Before becoming president and CEO of the Hospital of Saint Raphael in 2009, O’Connor was president of Caritas St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Boston, MA. Before that, he was vice president of clinical operations for Ochsner Clinic Foundation in New Orleans, LA, where he was part of a leadership team that guided that organization through 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 became president of YNHHS in the midst of the COVID pandemic and oversaw the reorientation of the YNHHS Regional Operations Center from a central supply hub to a center for COVID operations. He led the charge to have PPE, medical supplies and critical equipment ordered, delivered, verified for safety and distributed to YNHHS hospitals.
As chief operating officer for Yale New Haven Health, O’Connor led a number of critical growth initiatives, including the affiliation with Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in 2016 and 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 and master’s degrees in hospital administration from George Washington University. He is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and 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.
