The Middlesex West Chamber of Commerce recently presented Emerson Hospital’s President and CEO, Christine Schuster, with its Excellent Non-Profit Leadership award. The award was given at the Chamber’s annual celebration at the Westford Regency Inn and Conference Center. Ms. Schuster was honored for her strong business practices that have increased Emerson’s value and effectiveness to positively serve the health care needs of the entire community.
A long-time resident of Sudbury, Ms. Schuster joined Emerson as President and CEO in 2005. According to Ron Johnson, former Chair and current member of Emerson’s Board of Directors, she has, “taken Emerson from a good community hospital to a great one.” Raised in a family of healthcare professionals, when she was just thirteen, Ms. Schuster volunteered as a candy striper at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital. She went on to become a nurse, earning her bachelors of science degree in nursing from Boston University. She worked as Director of Critical Care at New England Deaconess Hospital before pursuing an MBA at the University of Chicago’s Booth Graduate School of Business. Prior to joining Emerson, she served as president and CEO of Quincy Medical Center.
“For her extraordinary legacy of commitment to patients, the healthcare community and the greater Middlesex community, it is a distinct privilege to honor Christine with the Chamber’s Excellent Non-Profit Leadership Award,” said Kathleen McDonald, Executive Director, Middlesex West Chamber of Commerce. Steve Walsh, President of the Massachusetts Council of Community Hospitals, believes that, “one of Christine’s’ greatest assets is her ability to see health care through the eyes of the patient. Looking at her role this way has allowed her to create the best possible experience for patients and their families.”
During her twelve years at Emerson, Ms. Schuster has expanded services at the hospital in a variety of clinical areas including cardiology, oncology, urology, pain management, rehabilitation and sports therapies. She has also led the hospital through innovative growth strategies including opening convenient outpatient sites in Westford, Groton, Sudbury, Concord, and the hospital’s entre into urgent care with the recent opening of Emerson Urgent Care in Hudson. Her visionary leadership has resulted in strong partnerships and clinical affiliations with the Partners Health Care Group, including Massachusetts General Hospital to deliver state of the art medical and oncology services to patients who live in Middlesex county.
As a quality leader among community hospitals, Emerson continues to be recognized for its excellence in care. Emerson has earned an “A” Hospital Safety Score by The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit organization, seven times in a row. Recently, Emerson received a Best Hospital for Obstetrics, Bariatric Surgery and Patient Safety by the Women’s Choice Awards. Its maternity service continues to be the hospital of choice for many new parents, and just received the prestigious Baby-Friendly designation, a global program sponsored by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund that recognizes hospitals offering a high level of mother/baby bonding.
“I am humbled to receive this award from the Middlesex West Chamber of Commerce,” said Ms. Schuster. “It is the greatest privilege of my life to serve the community with the highest quality health care through Emerson’s outpatient and inpatient services. I look forward to continuing to lead Emerson and work with our extraordinary team to create innovative programs and services that keep residents healthy throughout their lives.”
More information about the awards can be found at www.mwcoc.com.
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Emerson Hospital is a multi-site health system headquartered in Concord, Mass., with additional facilities in Sudbury, Groton and Westford, and an Urgent Care Center in Hudson. The 179-bed hospital provides advanced medical services to more than 300,000 individuals in 25 towns. To learn more, visit www.emersonhospital.org.
The Middlesex West Chamber of Commerce is an eight-town regional chamber of commerce serving the towns of Acton, Boxborough, Carlisle Concord, Littleton, Maynard, Stow and Westford. The mission of the Middlesex West Chamber of Commerce is to strengthen our communities by voicing support for and advocating the promotion of business. The Middlesex West Chamber of Commerce is a 501(c)6, civic, NGO, not-for-profit organization, with offices at 179 Great Road, Suite 104B, Acton, MA 01720.
