Kathryn Land Named DECH Board Chair at Annual Meeting

July 2020 Machias – Down East Community Hospital held its annual meeting of the Corporators on Tuesday, June 30.  During that meeting, they provided an overall update of 2019 and reviewed the 2019 Annual Report.  Usually, new board members are elected to fill open board positions but there were no open positions this year.  Kathryn Land was elected as Board Chair.  Kathy succeeds outgoing Chair, Wayne Peters, who completed his term.  Wayne has spent over 8 years on the board; the last 2 as Chair.  CEO, Steve Lail, “Wayne, who has already dedicated countless hours to this hospital, will remain on the board.  We are thankful for the work he did as Chair and appreciate his guidance and dedication.  Kathy Land has been on the Board for 9 years and has also committed countless hours to the hospital.  We are pleased that she has stepped into the Chair position and look forward to her thoughtful leadership.”  Current members of the board are Kathy Land, Chair, Lisa Carlisle, Vice Chair, Nate Martell, Secretary, and Mike Hennessey, Treasurer, Wayne Peters, Eric Burke, John Corrigan, Karen Eldridge, Corey Schwinn, Betty Marshall, Christian Inegbenijie, MD, Jacqueline O’Clair, Rose St. Louis, and Rita Ten, MD.

In addition to being on the board for the last 9 years, Kathy has been a member of the DECH Auxiliary for over 12 years.  She has a Managed Care Certification, a BS in Organizational Management and has over 25 years of experience in healthcare organizations.  Her background includes extensive experience in patient accounts management and managed care strategy development and implementation.  She is a skilled managed care contract negotiator and has worked with various healthcare settings, including acute care, ambulatory surgery, outpatient, behavioral health, dental, and skilled nursing facilities.  Kathy has also worked in collaboration with physicians and a PHO to effect contract terms and rates of reimbursement that addressed the financial and network needs of the parties involved.  Her strengths include the development of strong, open relationships with physicians, third party payers and managed care organizations.

Since being a member of the DECH Board, Kathy has been active on the Finance, Governance, and Executive committees.

CEO, Steve Lail, “Kathy has a solid background in healthcare and strong ties to this hospital.  She holds our staff in high regard and is committed to our mission to improve the health care of the people of Sunrise County.  Kathy will, undoubtedly, provide steadfast governance as our Board Chair.”