A seasoned leader assumes the helm

Dr. John B. Chessare, president of Caritas Norwood Hospital and a patient safety specialist, was appointed yesterday as interim president and chief executive of Caritas Christi Health Care System, replacing Dr. Robert Haddad, the Catholic Archdiocese of Boston announced.

Chessare, 54, who is also senior vice president for quality and patient safety with Caritas, joined the hospital system a year ago, when he left his job as a senior vice president and chief medical officer at Boston Medical Center. At the time, his colleagues expressed surprise that he would leave for a job running a small community hospital.

``My dream has been to run my own place," he said at the time. ``A lot of people think I'm crazy. Colleagues have asked why I'm doing this, since I love academic medicine. But Caritas is giving me a chance."

At Boston Medical Center, Chessare led a redesign initiative that dramatically improved patient flow and increased inpatient volume.

A graduate of Boston College, he received his medical degree from the University of Rome and completed a pediatrics residency at the University of Massachusetts and a fellowship in ambulatory pediatrics at Children's Hospital Boston.

He also has a degree from the University of Michigan School of Public Health.

The archdiocese announced that it would immediately begin a search for a permanent replacement for Haddad, who resigned early yesterday after he was found to have sexually harassed four female employees.

In a statement, Chessare said that counseling would be made available to all employees who may have been affected and that an outside human resources organization would help conduct group meetings.

``Employees will be asked to openly discuss their feelings and concerns," he said. ``If any further complaints are received, they will be vigorously investigated."

LIZ KOWALCZYK