VHS Names Roger Dulude Jr. to Compliance, Risk-management Roles

HOLYOKE — Spiros Hatiras, president and CEO of Holyoke Medical Center and Valley Health Systems Inc., named Roger Dulude Jr. its corporate Compliance officer and director of Risk Management.

A registered nurse who is certified in healthcare compliance, Dulude brings extensive experience leading risk-management and corporate-compliance programs in healthcare. He will institute and maintain the system’s compliance programs, as well as assess, develop, implement, and monitor risk-management plans to enhance patient safety, care, and privacy.

“I congratulate Roger and know that his skill and leadership in the area of corporate compliance and risk management are valuable assets to helping us effectively navigate today’s complex and highly regulated healthcare environment,” said Hatiras.

Dulude noted the importance of educating and training employees about new and existing compliance issues and risk areas. A key goal is educating employees to increase their understanding of, and compliance with, patient privacy and safety provisions contained in the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Of 1996 (HIPAA).

“A rapidly changing healthcare climate poses inherent risks to patients, staff, and our organization, and we must ensure that our compliance and risk-management programs and services are effective and robust,” he said.

Dulude most recently served as Holyoke Medical Center’s Corporate Compliance risk manager; Regulatory and Accreditation Compliance coordinator at Johnson Memorial Medical Center in Stafford Springs, Conn.; as well as various nursing, administrative, and clinical-management roles.

A 2012 recipient of the Connecticut Nightingale Award given to an individual demonstrating excellence in nursing, Dulude earned a master’s degree in nursing with a secondary concentration in education from the University of Hartford and his bachelor’s degree in nursing at Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas.