Crista Durand, president of Newport Hospital for the past decade, is among the casualties of a Lifespan restructuring that will save the hospital group $6 million by reducing its executive positions by 20 percent.
A spokesperson at Newport Hospital confirmed that Durand was among those losing their positions. She said her focus is now on internal staff at Newport Hospital and the impact on employees after learning that Durant was among those who would be losing their positions.
The restructuring comes just before the close of Lifespan’s fiscal year on October 1.
“Lifespan implemented a strategic restructure focused on creating a one-system, one-team approach, designed to reduce executive overhead and streamline operations,” said Lifespan CEO John Fernandez. “The changes have reduced executive positions by 20 percent, saving $6 million in fiscal year 2025. Starting from the top like this, allows us to allocate more resources directly to patient care and support areas.”
Lifespan has not issued any further statements, including a list of other executives that will be losing their positions.
Meanwhile, Lifespan is in the process of rebranding itself as Brown University Health and has been approved to buy Fall River-based St. Anne’s Hospital and Taunton-based Morton Hospital from bankrupt Steward Health Care.
Durand was appointed president of Newport Hospital in 2014. Previously, she was vice president of strategic planning, marketing, and business development at Lawrence and Memorial Hospital in New London, which has since become part of the Yale New Haven Hospital system.
Durand has a bachelor’s in financial management from Salve Regina University in Newport, and a master’s in financial management from Nichols College in Dudley, Massachusetts.
Newport Hospital is among five hospitals operated by Lifespan, which also includes Rhode Island, Miriam, Hasbro Children’s, and Bradle Hospitals.
I’m at a loss to understand this move on Lifespan’s part. Newport Hospital has grown into a worldclass regional health care facility. winning numerous national high marks. The ER facilities have been revamped and redone into top of class levels. The community outreach has been vastly improved over the past decade. Newport Hospital is a local gem, and it has grown and developed into a first-class facility under Durand’s intelligent leadership. I hope and pray Newport citizens will not suffer because of this ill-considered direction.
I FOR ONE THINK IT IS NO LOSS. MY EXPERIENCES OF THE PAST FEW YEARS WITH NEWPORT HOSPITAL HAVE NOT BEEN GOOD. MY LATE SUFFERED NEGLECT AND AS A RESULT BECAME INCAPACITATED.