Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Congratulations Judy Tarr!


The following press release hit the media on Friday, May 25th regarding our very own Adjunct Professor, Judy Tarr:

Miles President Accepts New Position

Damariscotta - Miles President and C.E.O. Judy Tarr has accepted a position as Chief Executive Officer of the 125-bed Central Vermont Medical Center in Barre, VT, Miles officials said.
A long-term employee and administrator at Miles, Tarr began her career there as an accountant in 1983 before quickly being promoted to the position of controller. In 1985 she began serving as the organization’s chief financial officer and went on to take the lead role as President of Miles Health Care in 1993.


“Much of what Miles is today is the direct result of Judy’s incredible leadership,” commented Miles Health Care Board of Trustees Chair Tom Finn. “Anyone who’s been around for the last 20 years knows how much Miles has grown, and the high level of quality the organization has achieved under her leadership.”


Along with new facilities such as the Women’s Center, and Chase Point Assisted Living, Tarr expanded Miles’ services by developing the Miles Medical Group, and secured its future with the MaineHealth affiliation in 1996. She was also instrumental in raising $6 million dollars towards a $10 million expansion and renovation to the Miles Hospital in 2002. “Her thumbprint is not only on every major improvement, it’s very much on the culture at Miles,” Finn said. “Throughout her tenure as president she encouraged an open, friendly environment with trustees, employees, and medical staff alike. One of the reasons our quality is so high is because people are free to speak their mind and have grown accustom to being heard,” he added.


“Miles is a wonderful organization - and what makes it so special are its people,” Tarr commented. We are fortunate to have a strong board, a highly skilled medical staff, hard-working and compassionate employees, and devoted volunteers. It has been a great run. We’ve faced many challenges and shared quite a few victories, but I believe it’s healthy for an organization to get new leadership from time to time. I will miss the Miles people dearly and wish them continued success and personal happiness. I’m confident Miles will continue being the best, because I know the people here, and they really are the best. I leave the organization in very good hands.” Tarr added.


Over the next few weeks, Miles trustees will begin a search process to find a new president. Tarr is expected to complete her work at Miles in August.

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

SJC Program Director Named to National Board

John Pratt, Director of the Health Administration programs in the Division of Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS) has been named to the Board of Directors of the American College of Health Care Administrators (ACHCA). ACHCA is a national professional society devoted to leadership development and professional education of long-term care administrators. Pratt fills a Board seat newly created specifically for an academician. The appointment is for a term of three years.

He is a Fellow of ACHCA and a Life Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) a professional society of hospital executives. He also serves as Vice-Chair of the Education Committee of the National Association of Boards of Examiners for Long-Term Care Administrators (NAB).

In addition to administrative role in GPS, Pratt is a tenured Professor. He has been employed at Saint Joseph’s College of Maine since 1989 as a teacher and administrator. Before coming to SJC, he was a hospital administrator for twenty-five years. He is a regular presenter at professional conferences, an active contributor to professional journals, and is author of a textbook, Long-Term Care: Managing Across the Continuum.