Southcoast Health Announces New President and CEO

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — The Southcoast Health Board of Trustees announced Friday that David McCready will serve as the company’s next president and CEO.

McCready succeeds Acting President and CEO Rayford Kruger, who took the position in 2022 after Keith Hovan was removed by the Board of Trustees.

In a release, McCready said he was "honored" the board chose him for the position.

“Southcoast is a special organization with a deep commitment to truly caring for and about its patients and their communities. Southcoast has so much to be proud of, and I look forward to leading and supporting the organization as we continue to fulfill our mission of exceptional care and service."

Prior to joining Southcoast Health, McCready had served as a member of the executive leadership team of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston since 2005 and as the president of Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital since 2018.

He also worked as an administrative leader at Boston Medical Center and at Highmark Health in Pittsburgh, and as a management consultant with PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Carmen Sylvester, vice chair of the Board of Trustees and chair of the executive search committee, said McCready’s experience made him the ideal candidate to serve as president and CEO.

“David’s extensive hospital leadership experience and strong commitment to patient care positioned him as the ideal match for our system and community,” Sylvester said. "After getting to know David during the search process, we are confident he will continue to build and strengthen a culture of respect and inclusiveness for all our valued staff and patients.”

As president and CEO, McCready's responsibilities will include overseeing system operations and subsidiary organizations.

Donald Giumetti, chairman of the board, said McCready will officially join Southcoast Health Oct. 1, 2023. 

Giumetti said Kruger will stay on to assist with the transition until Jan. 3, 2024.

“The Board of Trustees is extraordinarily grateful to Dr. Kruger for his service as president and CEO over the past year-and-a-half,” Giumetti said. “Dr. Kruger’s deep experience as a clinician, combined with his wisdom and leadership expertise, have allowed Southcoast to continue to thrive and focus on putting our patients first.”