Noble Hospital Taps Bryant as New President and CEO

WESTFIELD — On March 9, Robert Bacon, chair of the Noble Hospital board of trustees, announced the appointment of Ron Bryant as president and CEO, effective April 3. Robert Perry, Noble’s previous president and CEO, has announced his return to retirement.

Bryant has been Noble’s executive vice president and chief operating officer since last August. He has an extensive health care management background, and prior to his position at Noble, he served as vice president and chief financial officer at H.D. Goodall Hospital in Sanford. In addition to his financial leadership, he was responsible for many operational departments at H.D. Goodall.

As COO at Noble, Bryant has held primary responsibility for the daily operations of the hospital. In his new capacity as president and CEO, he will be the senior executive responsible for leadership of the hospital and will report directly to the board of trustees.

Bryant received a bachelor’s degree from Assumption College in Worcester, and is completing his master’s degree in Health Administration at St. Joseph’s College in Standish, Maine. He is also a certified public accountant.

“Ron Bryant has the expertise, experience, judgment, work ethic, and commitment to continuing Noble’s renaissance,” said Bacon. “We look forward to welcoming Ron and his family to Westfield, and wish him every success in his new role and responsibilities.”

Perry, the former CEO of St. Clare’s Hospital in Schenectady, N.Y., and of Northeastern Hospital in Philadelphia, had served as Noble’s president and CEO since September 2009. His original contract had him serving on an interim basis for a term of nine months. That contract was extended during the hospital’s search for a permanent hospital administrator.

Under Perry’s leadership, Noble Hospital achieved several notable recognitions, including the Gold Seal of Approval by the Joint Commission, the American Heart Assoc./American Stroke Assoc. Get with the Guidelines Stroke Gold Plus Performance Achievement Award, and the American Heart Assoc. Lifeline Bronze Performance Achievement Award.

Other accomplishments include the completed renovation of the Emergency Department, ranking as first among regional peers for overall patient satisfaction by Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems, and, the establishment of several new partnerships designed to enhance patient services, among them New England Pathology Associates, Jefferson Radiology, and Pioneer Valley Cardiology.

“We are very grateful to Bob Perry for his energy, enthusiasm, and strong, realistic leadership that have brought us countless positive changes,” Bacon said. “We wish him and his family well as he resumes his retirement.”