New Milford Hospital Names Joseph P. Frolkis President and CEO

NEW MILFORD — New Milford Hospital announced that the hospital’s Board of Directors has elected Dr Joseph P. Frolkis as president and chief executive officer. Sue Iovino was named as executive vice president and chief operating officer following its annual membership meeting January 30.

Separately, the hospital membership approved the restructuring of the hospital’s Board of Directors to allow its membership to be no less than 25 and no more than 60 individuals, with an executive committee that will provide active oversight of hospital operations.

Effective February 1, Dr Frolkis succeeded Richard E. Pugh, who is leaving after 28 years of service with the hospital.

James E. Preston, chairman of the Board of Trustees, said, “This new management team — with years of experience in hospital administration and outstanding reputations and their clinical specialties — will move the hospital forward, building upon the strong foundation already put in place. Under Dick Pugh this hospital has grown significantly in size, capability, and complexity. This is a testament to his success in making New Milford Hospital what it is today.”

Commenting on his appointment, Dr Frolkis said, “Under Dick Pugh and his team, the hospital has become an invaluable community resource, a warm and caring service provider for New Milford, and a great place to work. We plan to continue that tradition. It is also up to us — the new management team — to continue to move New Milford Hospital forward by providing the highest quality health care available today.

“We also plan to stay in close touch with our local communities so we can better understand their health care needs and concerns and incorporate those issues into our strategic planning,” Dr Frolkis added.

Dr Frolkis was previously the hospital’s vice president for medical affairs and director of the Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Program. He joined the hospital in 2005 from the University Hospitals of Cleveland and had previously been director of clinical operations in the Preventive Cardiology Program at The Cleveland Clinic.

At University Hospitals, Dr Frolkis directed the center for cardiovascular disease reduction and was chief of the Division of General Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Health Care Research. He was also an associate professor of medicine, epidemiology, and biostatistics at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and has published numerous articles in leading medical journals.

Ms Iovino was previously vice president of Patient Care Services and chief nursing officer of the hospital. In this role she oversaw 21 clinical departments including nursing, pharmacy and radiology, laboratory and the regional cancer center. She is credited with developing outstanding clinical nursing and patient care service departments that are implementing progress quality care and research initiatives.

These achievements were recognized by New York Presbyterian Healthcare System at its annual meeting on January 18, when New Milford Hospital was chosen from all of the system’s affiliated institutions and awarded the “Quality Signature Award.” Ms Iovino has been with the hospital for more than 18 years. Earlier she held management positions at Bridgeport and Danbury hospitals.

Designed to streamline organizational governance, the recently approved restructuring will merge The New Milford Hospital Holding Corp with New Milford Hospital, Inc, which will be the surviving entity. The new entity will become the parent of the New Milford Visiting Nurse Association and The New Milford Hospital Foundation.

Separately at the annual meeting, longtime hospital board member Pat Shea and Ruth Henderson, co-chairman emeritus and one of the founders of the New Milford Hospital Foundation, were honored for their years of service to the hospital and the community.