Seasoned healthcare leader Gregory T. LaFrancois, MHA, FACHE, has joined Covenant Health as senior vice president and the president of St. Joseph Healthcare.
In making this announcement, Stephen Grubbs, Covenant Health’s president and chief executive officer, noted “Greg LaFrancois brings to this position a wealth of experience gained over more than 25 years in the healthcare sector, including in Catholic, military, and behavioral health. His record of accomplishment includes enhancing services to meet community needs, advancing quality, partnership building and improving financial sustainability and resiliency.”
“Greg brings an impressive mix of experience and passion to our mission-driven organization. He has a deep understanding of healthcare in Maine and his innovative spirit will advance our purpose of serving our patients and community,” said Robert Clark, PhD, chair of the St. Joseph Healthcare Board of Trustees. “We are delighted that he will be at the helm of St. Joe’s.”
As president, LaFrancois will lead efforts to align strategy, operations, and community impact for St. Joseph. He will also be a key member of the senior leadership team of Covenant Health System, the family of Catholic healthcare organizations of which St. Joseph Healthcare is a member.
“I know St. Joseph Healthcare will be in good hands with Greg. I’m excited about his deep compassion for those in need and his community-focused mindset. He is also a strong advocate for the team member experience and for uplifting our culture of caring,” said St. Joseph Healthcare President Mary Prybylo, RN, MSN, FACHE, who announced her retirement in January.
LaFrancois said he is eager to meet St. Joseph Healthcare team members and begin collaborating with them.
“I am inspired by St. Joseph’s Mission of caring for the whole person, in service to all in our communities,” LaFrancois said. “I look forward to working alongside colleagues who have
been called to healthcare, particularly to meet the needs of our underserved neighbors. Together, we can advance our vision of delivering the best care to every patient, every time.”
LaFrancois has been working in Maine since 2016. Most recently, he was president of Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center and was previously president of Northern Light AR Gould Hospital in Presque Isle. While president of the hospitals, he also served as senior vice president of the health system.
LaFrancois’ experience also includes serving as president and chief executive officer of Saint Aloisius Medical Center, a critical access hospital, and as chief executive officer of Prairie Saint John’s Hospital, both in North Dakota, and chief financial officer of Cumberland Hall Hospital in Kentucky, two behavioral health hospitals.
A veteran of the U.S. Army, LaFrancois retired from active duty as a lieutenant colonel. He served in finance and operations roles at Blanchfield Army Community Hospital in Kentucky, the Office of the Army Surgeon General, Walter Reed Health Care System and the United States Health System in Seoul, South Korea.
LaFrancois earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Norwich University in Vermont and his master’s in health administration from Baylor University in Texas.
He and his wife, Danhong Zhao, PhD, MD, live in Bangor and are active in the community.