Maureen Kahn, MSN, MHA, RN, President/CEO, Blessing Health, has elected to transition out of her role earlier than previously announced. She will now retire effective July 1, 2023 with the approval of the Board of Trustees.
With Brian Canfield, MHA, MBA, MA, FACHE, serving as President/CEO of Blessing Health, Kahn will fill the role of executive consultant until October 6, 2023.
“I set my retirement date early in the process with the Board of Trustees, not knowing how long it would take to recruit my successor. The selection of an internal candidate, Brian Canfield, has made the process very efficient and effective. Brian’s near 18-month tenure with the system has made the transition very smooth. I will remain available to Brian and the board remotely/virtually during this final phase of the transition.”
“The transition process has gone very well, and the organization is ready for this next step in the process. I am extremely grateful to have served Blessing Health and to have worked with providers and staff of great talents. The community is blessed with this resource. I am confident that the next chapter of Blessing Health is in very capable hands and leadership. I plan to enjoy time with my family while still keeping my eye on health care.”
Maureen’s accomplishments
Upon her retirement, Maureen will have served 22 years with Blessing Health, the last eight as health system president and chief executive officer. High quality patient care and services that keeps care local has been the focus of leadership and the Board.
During Maureen’s tenure at Blessing, the system has expanded its clinical programs of cardiology, oncology, orthopedics, surgery and trauma surgery. New medical technology has been introduced in these areas with robotics, a hybrid operating room, electrophysiology lab, as well as stereotactic body radiation therapy and stereotactic radio surgery.
Expansion of Blessing’s medical group to include the necessary specialties as well as the addition of Hospitalist, Intensivist and OB/GYN Hospitalist programs have been beneficial to patient healthcare needs. Specialty clinics in outlying areas expanded to bring care closer to home for many patients in the region. Development of a molecular lab during COVID, as well as a drive-thru clinic, were added to Blessing’s services to meet the needs of the community during the crisis.
And in regard to quality, Blessing Hospital earned Magnet recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the highest national honor awarded for nursing excellence, and six times received a grade of A from the national Leapfrog Group for patient safety processes and outcomes.
About Brian Canfield
Brian joined Blessing in December 2021 as Chief Operating Officer of Blessing Health, assuming the additional duty of Blessing Hospital President in August 2022.
He came to Blessing after nine years as chief operating officer at First Health of The Carolinas and Moore Regional Hospital, Pinehurst, North Carolina, where he was responsible for three acute care hospitals totaling 509 beds, a critical access hospital, and a staff of 4,500 employees and 950 volunteers.
Brian served 28 years in the United States Army and Department of Defense. His last assignment was as CEO/Commanding Officer of Womack Army Medical Center, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Brian was the first non-physician selected to command the 340-bed-capable tertiary care teaching hospital with eight multi-specialty ambulatory care and primary care medical home clinics, serving a community of more than 185,000 patients.