NSMC names new president
The Board of Trustees of Partners HealthCare voted Tuesday to name David J. Roberts, M.D., as the next president of North Shore Medical Center (NSMC), a vote endorsed at an earlier meeting by the NSMC Board of Trustees. Dr. Roberts currently serves as Chair of Medicine and Chief of Cardiology at NSMC in addition to maintaining an active practice in interventional cardiology.
“Dave Roberts brings a deep understanding of the North Shore community and NSMC, as well as strong relationships with the medical staffs in our community and at our academic medical center partners,” says Richard E. Holbrook, chair of the NSMC Board of Trustees. “He has demonstrated a commitment to finding thoughtful solutions to the challenges that lie ahead for NSMC and his reputation for approachability, intelligence and clinical excellence make him the ideal choice for this role.”
Dr. Roberts will replace Robert G. Norton who retired as NSMC president in December 2016. Dr. Gregg S. Meyer has been serving as Interim President since Norton’s departure and will continue in that role until Dr. Roberts is able to transition his other roles, expected this spring.
“Dr. Roberts takes on this role as NSMC is transforming, offering patients updated facilities and expanded services particularly in the area of behavioral health,” said Dr. David Torchiana, President and CEO of Partners HealthCare. “Dave is uniquely qualified to work with community leaders on the North Shore as well as with clinical leaders throughout the Partners system to ensure that the needs of patients are always being put first, while working to put NSMC on a more sustainable path for the future.”
Board certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology, Dr. Roberts has served as Chief of Cardiology since 1991 and Chair of Medicine since 2011. He has been instrumental in building a comprehensive cardiology program at NSMC recognized by Truven Health Analytics as one of the Top 50 in the nation. With colleagues from NSMC and Massachusetts General Hospital, he led efforts to bring interventional cardiology capabilities to NSMC in 2003 and established the medical center as the only comprehensive cardiovascular care facility in the region. His efforts to fast-track treatment for heart attack patients led to the Commonwealth’s first paramedic pre-hospital notification protocol where all paramedics on the North Shore are trained to administer and read EKGs in the field and accelerate access to effective treatment. With an impressive array of expertise including interventional care, angioplasty, ablation, electrophysiology, general cardiology and cardiothoracic care, the NSMC cardiovascular service consistently meets the highest standards for patient care and quality.
In addition to his work to develop the cardiovascular service at NSMC, Dr. Roberts has been a champion of clinical process improvement across the medical center and led successful efforts to develop a robust and highly competent hospitalist service across both NSMC campuses. He also remains focused on the emotional aspects of patient care, and has introduced empathy training for physicians and staff of the Department of Medicine, ensuring that caregivers remain mindful to the needs of patients, families and one another.
Dr. Roberts received his medical degree from the University of Vermont and completed his residency at Kaiser Foundation Hospital in San Francisco, specializing in internal medicine. He completed his research fellowship at New England Medical Center focused on cardiovascular disease. He has been a member of the NSMC medical staff since 1985 and the Massachusetts General Hospital medical staff since 1993.