
Michael K. Lauf
Chairman of the Board
Michael Lauf is President and Chief Executive Officer of Cape Cod Healthcare, a regional health system with more than 450 physicians and 4,600 employees. The system is comprised of two-acute care hospitals, the largest home health services agency on the Cape (VNA), a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility, an assisted living facility and numerous health programs.
Recognized twice in recent years by Modern Healthcare magazine as one of the nation’s “rising stars” in health care administration, Michael served as the Cape Cod Healthcare system’s Chief Operating Officer from 2008-2010. He was promoted to President of Cape Cod Hospital and Falmouth Hospital in 2010, before being appointed to his current position as President and CEO of the system. Prior to joining CCHC, Michael served as Chief Operating Officer of Bristol Medical Center, a 348-bed hospital in Bristol, Tennessee, part of the Wellmont Healthcare System. From 1999 to 2006, he held a variety of positions for Conemaugh Health System in Pennsylvania, including President and CEO of one of Conemaugh’s hospitals, Miners Medical Center. From 1994 to 1999, he worked on the staff of U.S. Representative John P. Murtha, most recently as Rep. Murtha’s Director of Community and Economic Development.
Michael earned his MBA from Saint Francis University in Pennsylvania and his BA from the University of Pittsburgh.
Chairman of the Board
Michael Lauf is President and Chief Executive Officer of Cape Cod Healthcare, a regional health system with more than 450 physicians and 4,600 employees. The system is comprised of two-acute care hospitals, the largest home health services agency on the Cape (VNA), a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility, an assisted living facility and numerous health programs.
Recognized twice in recent years by Modern Healthcare magazine as one of the nation’s “rising stars” in health care administration, Michael served as the Cape Cod Healthcare system’s Chief Operating Officer from 2008-2010. He was promoted to President of Cape Cod Hospital and Falmouth Hospital in 2010, before being appointed to his current position as President and CEO of the system. Prior to joining CCHC, Michael served as Chief Operating Officer of Bristol Medical Center, a 348-bed hospital in Bristol, Tennessee, part of the Wellmont Healthcare System. From 1999 to 2006, he held a variety of positions for Conemaugh Health System in Pennsylvania, including President and CEO of one of Conemaugh’s hospitals, Miners Medical Center. From 1994 to 1999, he worked on the staff of U.S. Representative John P. Murtha, most recently as Rep. Murtha’s Director of Community and Economic Development.
Michael earned his MBA from Saint Francis University in Pennsylvania and his BA from the University of Pittsburgh.

Christine C. Schuster
Vice-Chairwoman
Christine Schuster is the President and CEO of Emerson Hospital. Prior to joining Emerson in 2005, she served as president and CEO of Quincy Medical Center and Athol Memorial Hospital. She also served as Chief Operating Officer of the Extended Care Division of Tenet Saint Vincent Healthcare System in Worcester and Director of Critical Care at New England Deaconess Hospital. She spent five years as a healthcare management consultant with Coopers & Lybrand.
In 2005, Christine was appointed by Governor Romney to serve on the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Health Education and Financing Authority and was subsequently elected chairman of the Board. She is currently a Board member of the American Hospital Association Metropolitan Regional Council and Voluntary Hospitals of America, Northeast. She is Chairman of the Board of Power Options, Inc. In 2007, Ms. Schuster was named to Governor Patrick’s transition team, serving on the Health Care Taskforce. She has also served on the AHA Regional Policy Board and the Massachusetts Hospital Association Board, where she chaired the Clinical Issues Advisory Council and the Leadership Education Committee. She currently serves on the Massachusetts Hospital Association Standing Committee on Finance.
Christine is also engaged in civic affairs and has served on the Board of the Concord Chamber of Commerce and the Concord Economic Council. In 2011, she received the Citizen of the Year Award from the Concord Chamber of Commerce, as well the “Prescription for Excellence Award” from the Mass Medical Health Law Report. She received the 2009 American Hospital Association Grassroots Champion Award and the 2008 Maynard Elks Distinguished Citizenship Award. Christine received her Master’s in Business Administration, with honors, from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Boston University.
Vice-Chairwoman
Christine Schuster is the President and CEO of Emerson Hospital. Prior to joining Emerson in 2005, she served as president and CEO of Quincy Medical Center and Athol Memorial Hospital. She also served as Chief Operating Officer of the Extended Care Division of Tenet Saint Vincent Healthcare System in Worcester and Director of Critical Care at New England Deaconess Hospital. She spent five years as a healthcare management consultant with Coopers & Lybrand.
In 2005, Christine was appointed by Governor Romney to serve on the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Health Education and Financing Authority and was subsequently elected chairman of the Board. She is currently a Board member of the American Hospital Association Metropolitan Regional Council and Voluntary Hospitals of America, Northeast. She is Chairman of the Board of Power Options, Inc. In 2007, Ms. Schuster was named to Governor Patrick’s transition team, serving on the Health Care Taskforce. She has also served on the AHA Regional Policy Board and the Massachusetts Hospital Association Board, where she chaired the Clinical Issues Advisory Council and the Leadership Education Committee. She currently serves on the Massachusetts Hospital Association Standing Committee on Finance.
Christine is also engaged in civic affairs and has served on the Board of the Concord Chamber of Commerce and the Concord Economic Council. In 2011, she received the Citizen of the Year Award from the Concord Chamber of Commerce, as well the “Prescription for Excellence Award” from the Mass Medical Health Law Report. She received the 2009 American Hospital Association Grassroots Champion Award and the 2008 Maynard Elks Distinguished Citizenship Award. Christine received her Master’s in Business Administration, with honors, from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Boston University.

Bruce Auerbach, MD
Treasurer
Dr. Bruce S. Auerbach, MD, FACEP, serves as the President and CEO of Sturdy Memorial Hospital, Inc. A longtime physician and hospital administrator, Dr. Auerbach previously as Sturdy's Vice President, Chief Medical Officer, and Chief for Emergency and Ambulatory Services. He continues to fulfill all of the responsibilities of Medical Director, as well as continues to manage the departments of Cardiac Rehabilitation, Oncology, Wound Management Services, the MS Clinic, the Attleboro School Based Health Clinic, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Sturdy Plus Clinics, and Facilities Services at the Hospital.
He was president of both the Massachusetts Medical Society and the Massachusetts Chapter of ACEP (American College of Emergency Physicians), and has received several honors and awards, including ACEP's James D. Mills Outstanding Contribution to Emergency Medicine award in 2009 and a "Hero of Emergency Medicine" recognition in 2008. Dr. Auerbach received his medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine and completed his residency training in Emergency Medicine at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.
Treasurer
Dr. Bruce S. Auerbach, MD, FACEP, serves as the President and CEO of Sturdy Memorial Hospital, Inc. A longtime physician and hospital administrator, Dr. Auerbach previously as Sturdy's Vice President, Chief Medical Officer, and Chief for Emergency and Ambulatory Services. He continues to fulfill all of the responsibilities of Medical Director, as well as continues to manage the departments of Cardiac Rehabilitation, Oncology, Wound Management Services, the MS Clinic, the Attleboro School Based Health Clinic, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Sturdy Plus Clinics, and Facilities Services at the Hospital.
He was president of both the Massachusetts Medical Society and the Massachusetts Chapter of ACEP (American College of Emergency Physicians), and has received several honors and awards, including ACEP's James D. Mills Outstanding Contribution to Emergency Medicine award in 2009 and a "Hero of Emergency Medicine" recognition in 2008. Dr. Auerbach received his medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine and completed his residency training in Emergency Medicine at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.

David Phelps
Clerk
Dave Phelps, born and raised in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, was named the President & CEO of Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) and Berkshire Health Care Systems (BHCS) in 1993. Berkshire Health Systems is the primary provider of healthcare services in Berkshire County. Its affiliates include Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield and Fairview Hospital in Great Barrington. A long-term care associate of Berkshire Health Systems, Berkshire Health Care Systems operates nursing and rehabilitative care facilities throughout the Berkshires, including Mt. Greylock Extended Care, Kimball Farms, Hillcrest Commons, Fairview Commons, North Adams Commons and Williamstown Commons. In addition, BHCS owns and operates nursing facilities across Massachusetts, and in Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Phelps has served on the Board of the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association, and is a member of the American Hospital Association's Regional Policy Board. He is a former Chairman of the Pittsfield Economic Development Authority, past President of the Massachusetts Council of Community Hospitals, and has served on the Massachusetts Health and Education Facilities Authority (HEFA), Massachusetts Business Roundtable Healthcare Task Force and the Governor's Blue Ribbon Commission on Healthcare.
Clerk
Dave Phelps, born and raised in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, was named the President & CEO of Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) and Berkshire Health Care Systems (BHCS) in 1993. Berkshire Health Systems is the primary provider of healthcare services in Berkshire County. Its affiliates include Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield and Fairview Hospital in Great Barrington. A long-term care associate of Berkshire Health Systems, Berkshire Health Care Systems operates nursing and rehabilitative care facilities throughout the Berkshires, including Mt. Greylock Extended Care, Kimball Farms, Hillcrest Commons, Fairview Commons, North Adams Commons and Williamstown Commons. In addition, BHCS owns and operates nursing facilities across Massachusetts, and in Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Phelps has served on the Board of the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association, and is a member of the American Hospital Association's Regional Policy Board. He is a former Chairman of the Pittsfield Economic Development Authority, past President of the Massachusetts Council of Community Hospitals, and has served on the Massachusetts Health and Education Facilities Authority (HEFA), Massachusetts Business Roundtable Healthcare Task Force and the Governor's Blue Ribbon Commission on Healthcare.

Keith A. Hovan
Immediate Past Chair
Keith Hovan is President & CEO of Southcoast Health System and Southcoast Hospitals Group. Keith joined Southcoast as President & CEO of Southcoast Hospitals Group in June 2008. He became President of Southcoast Health System in October 2010 and added the title of CEO of Southcoast Health System in July 2011.
Prior to joining Southcoast, Keith was Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at Danbury Hospital in Danbury, Connecticut. He joined Danbury Hospital in 2001 as Senior Vice President of Operations before being promoted to COO in 2004. While at Danbury Hospital, Keith was responsible for leading the development of that health system's center of excellence strategy. Under his leadership, Danbury Hospital received numerous national recognitions for quality and excellence, including being named a Solucient Top 100 Hospital for three consecutive years.
Keith was Vice President of Clinical Services at Montefiore Medical Center in The Bronx section of New York City and served in various clinical leadership positions at Bridgeport Hospital in Bridgeport, Conn. He is a graduate of Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Conn., where he earned both a Masters of Science in Nursing, graduating first in his class with the Award for Academic Excellence, and a Bachelors of Science in Nursing. He was a member of the National and International Honor Societies while in college. He is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Immediate Past Chair
Keith Hovan is President & CEO of Southcoast Health System and Southcoast Hospitals Group. Keith joined Southcoast as President & CEO of Southcoast Hospitals Group in June 2008. He became President of Southcoast Health System in October 2010 and added the title of CEO of Southcoast Health System in July 2011.
Prior to joining Southcoast, Keith was Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at Danbury Hospital in Danbury, Connecticut. He joined Danbury Hospital in 2001 as Senior Vice President of Operations before being promoted to COO in 2004. While at Danbury Hospital, Keith was responsible for leading the development of that health system's center of excellence strategy. Under his leadership, Danbury Hospital received numerous national recognitions for quality and excellence, including being named a Solucient Top 100 Hospital for three consecutive years.
Keith was Vice President of Clinical Services at Montefiore Medical Center in The Bronx section of New York City and served in various clinical leadership positions at Bridgeport Hospital in Bridgeport, Conn. He is a graduate of Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Conn., where he earned both a Masters of Science in Nursing, graduating first in his class with the Award for Academic Excellence, and a Bachelors of Science in Nursing. He was a member of the National and International Honor Societies while in college. He is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Board of Directors
Dianne J. Anderson, President & CEO, Lawrence General Hospital
Bruce S. Auerbach, MD, President & CEO, Sturdy Memorial Hospital Ronald P. Bryant, President & CEO, Baystate Noble Hospital Philip Cormier, CEO, Beverly Hospital - Beverly Hospital - Addison Gilbert Hospital Kevin Coughlin, Interim President & CEO, Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital – Plymouth Richard Fernandez, President & CEO, Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital - Milton John M. Fogarty, President & CEO, Beth Israel Deaconess- Needham Stephen Gilmore, COO/CFO, Tenet Healthcare MetroWest Medical Center - Framingham Campus - Natick Campus Mark Goldstein, President & CEO, Anna Jaques Hospital Gene E. Green, MD, President & CEO, South Shore Health System Spiros Hatiras, President & CEO, Holyoke Medical Center Kim N. Hollon, President & CEO, Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital Keith A. Hovan, President & CEO, Southcoast Health System - Charlton Memorial Hospital - St. Luke's Hospital - Tobey Hospital |
Edward J. Kelly, President & CEO, Milford Regional Medical Center Michael K. Lauf, President & CEO, Cape Cod Healthcare - Cape Cod Hospital - Falmouth Hospital Alan Macdonald, President & CEO, Hallmark Health System - Lawrence Memorial Hospital - Melrose-Wakefield Hospital Joanne Marqusee, President & CEO, Cooley Dickinson Hospital Edward Moore, President & CEO, Harrington HealthCare System David Phelps, President & CEO, Berkshire Health Systems - Berkshire Medical Center - BMC North Campus - Fairview Hospital Christine C. Schuster, President & CEO, Emerson Hospital Richard Weiner, MD, President & CEO, Winchester Hospital Deborah Weymouth, President & CEO, UMass Memorial HealthAlliance Hospital - Burbank Campus - Leominster Campus - Clinton Hospital Joseph A. White, President, Lowell General Hospital - Lowell General - LGH Saints Campus Scott A. Wolf, President & CEO, Mercy Medical Center & Sisters of Providence Health System |