Lester Schindel, a longtime New England healthcare executive, has been named interim CEO of Waterbury Hospital. Schindel previously served as interim CEO at Waterbury Hospital in 2017 soon after Prospect acquired the hospital. In collaboration with its Waterbury Hospital executives, Prospect will conduct a national search for a permanent CEO at Waterbury.
“I am excited to return to Waterbury Hospital and to the Waterbury community as interim CEO,” said Schindel. “I look forward to building on the many positive clinical and operational gains that have resulted at Waterbury Hospital from Prospect’s investment and stewardship, under Peter’s leadership. I want to congratulate him on this well-deserved promotion. We have already begun the transition process with a plan to ensure a seamless change in leadership.
Peter Adamo has been promoted to CEO of Crozer-Keystone Health System, Prospect Medical’s four-hospital health system based in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Adamo, who has held the President and CEO position at Prospect’s Waterbury Hospital since August 2017, began transitioning to his new role at Crozer-Keystone on Feb. 10.
Waterbury Hospital was in serious financial distress and close to shutting down when Prospect acquired it in October 2016. When no other hospital operators were willing to step up, Prospect saved the hospital, preserved hundreds of jobs, and secured the hospital’s existing pension fund, guaranteeing retirement income for many current and former employees. For the first time ever, Waterbury Hospital now pays property taxes that help support police, fire, schools and other important services in its local community.
During his tenure, Adamo oversaw Prospect’s $27 million capital investment in Waterbury Hospital for extensive facility upgrades and state-of-the-art medical equipment and technology. This includes both a full upgrade of the Cerner Electronic Medical Record and a new Wound Care Center. The system has seen growth in both admissions and emergency department, outpatient, home health and physical rehabilitation visits. Notably, nearly every clinical quality area has seen improvement, including patient outcomes, readmission rates, and patients recommending the system for care.
Waterbury Hospital also continues the strong, collaborative relationships it has formed with many local community organizations over the years. These include such organizations as St. Vincent DePaul Mission, the UnGroup Society, the Hispanic Coalition of Greater Waterbury and numerous senior centers, churches, community and civic organizations. Hospital employees donate hundreds of hours every year volunteering at events and serving on civic organization boards.
“These achievements are a credit to the hospital’s dedicated physicians, staff, and senior management team who serve Waterbury every day,” said Adamo. “I am leaving with mixed emotions, but I am confident that Waterbury Hospital will continue its successful path under Les’ leadership. I look forward to a new challenge at Crozer-Keystone.”
Schindel is an accomplished hospital leader with extensive experience in developing physician practices, innovative collaborations and strong relationships with allied health providers. Before joining Prospect, he was CEO and President of Steward Holy Family in Methuen, Massachusetts, and Merrimack Valley Hospital in Haverhill, Massachusetts, a 402-bed, two-campus hospital north of Boston. Before that, he was COO of Metrowest Medical Center and COO of Leonard Morse Hospital, in Natick, Massachusetts. A graduate of Rutgers University, Schindel earned a master’s degree in health care administration from George Washington University.
About Waterbury HEALTH
Waterbury HEALTH, which includes Waterbury Hospital, Alliance Medical Group, Cardiology Associates of Greater Waterbury, VNA Health at Home and Access Rehab Centers, Greater Waterbury Imaging Center, offers comprehensive healthcare services including primary care, emergency and acute care, and home healthcare. Serving Waterbury and 11 surrounding communities in Western Connecticut, Waterbury HEALTH is a member of Prospect Medical Holdings, Inc., a national family of hospitals and healthcare networks.