Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is ultimately responsible for implementation of the mission and the governance of the Middlesex Health System.

Specific responsibilities of the Board include overseeing the organization, maintaining the fiscal standards of the system, spearheading quality improvement initiatives and fund raising efforts, leading the system’s management group, granting staff privileges and more.

The Board of Directors is comprised of a number of multi-talented individuals, each with a unique skill set that enhances the capabilities of the board as a whole. Those skills include a history of achievement, ability to work in a team-oriented environment, philanthropy and governance experience and a receptiveness to training.

In addition, the individual board members present a number of outstanding personal characteristics including integrity, intelligence, compassion, independence and objectivity.

Directors of Middlesex Health System, Inc. (“System”) are elected by the corporators (members) at the annual meeting generally held each year in October. The System, as sole member of the Hospital, in turn elects as Directors of the Hospital, the Directors of the System. Directorships are staggered such that the terms of approximately one-third of all directors expire each year. An executive search firm has been retained to assist in identifying appropriate Board members. Selection criteria, evaluation criteria, continuing education mandates and term limits has resulted in a Board composed of an outstanding group of business and community leaders who have fostered a quest for excellence by the Hospital.

The Board of Directors consists of 11 elected and 1 ex-officio member. The professional background of the members is broad and includes banking, community service, education, insurance, manufacturing, medicine and business.

The Middlesex Health System Board of Directors include:

R. Christopher Seaton, Chairman

Mr. Seaton joined the Middlesex Health System Board of Directors in 1999. He is currently Senior Vice President of Global Licensing, Acquisitions and Business Development for the Pharmaceuticals Division of Bayer Corporation. He is also a corporator for New Haven Savings Bank. Mr. Seaton is the Chairman of the Audit Committee. He is also a member of the Finance Committee, Governance Committee and Joint Conference Committee.

David A. Baggish, M.D.

Dr. Baggish joined the Middlesex Health System Board of Directors in 1998 and is now the Board’s Secretary. He is Chair of the Department of Medicine at Middlesex Hospital. Dr. Baggish is a Fellow of both the American College of Physicians and the American College of Nephrology. He is a member of the Investment Committee, Finance Committee and Human Resources Committee. He is Secretary of both Middlesex Health Services, Inc. and Middlesex Health Resources, Inc. Dr. Baggish was also president of the Medical Staff from 1995-1997.

Nancy M. D’Oench

Ms. D’Oench joined the Middlesex Health System Board of Directors in 1992. She is a former teacher, writer and editor, and authored a book called The Fine Art of Flower Arranging. Ms. D’Oench is a volunteer at the Middletown Garden Club and is Director of the Garden Club of America. She is a member of a number of MHS committees including Finance, Quality Improvement and Strategic Planning. Ms. D’Oench is also a member of Middlesex Health Services, Inc.

Geoffrey E. Herter, M.D.

Dr. Herter joined the Middlesex Health System Board of Directors in 2005. He is a urologist with Middlesex Urology. Dr. Herter is Chairman of the Middlesex Imperative Steering Committee. He was Vice President of the Medical Staff from 1997-1999, and President of the Medical Staff from 1999-2003.

Chandler J. Howard

Chandler Howard became president and chief executive officer of Liberty Bank in 2007. Prior to joining Liberty Bank, he was president and CEO of First City Fund Corp., a community foundation in New Haven. Howard previously headed up Bank of America in Connecticut. He has over 30 years of experience in the field of banking. A Vietnam veteran, Howard earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut and a master’s degree in finance from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Thomas C. Hutton

Mr. Hutton joined the Middlesex Health System Board of Directors in 2002. He is currently the General Manager of the Pratt & Whitney Engine Center. Mr. Hutton is a member of the Central Connecticut State University Industrial Technology Advisory Board. He is also the Commissioner of the City of Middletown Parks and Recreation and Vice Chairman of the city’s Smith Park Building Committee. Mr. Hutton is a member of the MHS Investment Committee.

Hugh C. MacKenzie

Mr. MacKenzie joined the Middlesex Health System Board of Directors in 1995. He is retired President of the Retail Business Group of the Northeast Utilities System. Mr. MacKenzie is a member of the Capital Region Growth Council and the MetroHartford Chamber of Commerce. He is also Chairman of the Finance Committee and a member of both the Governance Committee and the Joint Conference Committee.

Bruce S. MacMillian

Mr. MacMillian joined the Middlesex Health System Board of Directors in 2005. He has been a corporator since 1992. Mr. MacMillian has 30 years of business experience, most notably as CEO of CEU.com. He is a long-time supporter of Middlesex Hospital, chairing the Shoreline Division Second Century Campaign. Mr. MacMillian is a member of both the Audit Committee and the Finance Committee.

James O. Matschulat

Mr. Matschulat joined the Middlesex Health System Board of Directors in 1987, and was Chairman from 1990-1994. He is currently a Visiting Associate Professor at the University of New Haven. He is also CEO Emeritus of Middlesex Mutual Assurance Company. Mr. Matschulat serves on the boards of a number of community service organizations. He is a member of the Audit Committee, Governance Committee and Joint Conference Committee.

John W. Rafal

Mr. Rafal joined the Middlesex Health System Board of Directors this year and has been a corporator since 2000. Currently, he is President of John W. Rafal & Associates, Inc., his own financial services company. Mr. Rafal is a member of the board of Essex Savings Bank as well as the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra. He is also a member of the MHS Investment Committee.

Barbara M. Weiss

Ms. Weiss joined the Middlesex Health System Board of Directors in 1995. She is Secretary of the Middletown Board of Education and is past-President of the United Way. Ms. Weiss is a member of the Middletown Republican Town Committee and a former board member of the Middletown YMCA. She is the Chair of the MHS Human Resources Committee and is also a member of the Quality Improvement Committee, Ethics Committee and Joint Conference Committee. Additionally, she is Chair of Middlesex Health Resources, Inc.

Gary K. Willis

Mr. Willis joined the Middlesex Health System Board of Directors in 1996. He is the retired President and CEO of ZYGO Corporation. He is active with the Citizens Scholarship Foundation of America and is a trustee at Wheaton College. Mr. Willis is also on the Advisory Board of Tom’s of Maine. Mr. Willis is also a member of the Quality Improvement Committee and Joint Conference Committee. Additionally, he is Chair of Middlesex Health Services, Inc.

Board of Directors