Dr. Tenny Thomas officially began his tenure as Newport Hospital’s president and chief medical officer Monday, stepping into a leadership role at a critical moment as the facility faces potential cuts to essential services, including its birthing center.
Thomas, who joins Newport Hospital from Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Plymouth where he served as chief medical officer since 2018, will immediately confront budget pressures that have put the Noreen Stonor Drexel Birthing Center at risk of closure.
“Dr. Thomas is an impressive leader and his passion for advancing healthcare quality and improving patient outcomes will be an asset to Newport Hospital and Brown University Health,” said Sarah Frost, Chief of Hospital Operations for Brown University Health, in announcing the appointment.
Budget Challenges Await
Thomas’s first major challenge will be working on Newport Hospital’s fall budget while parent company Brown Health grapples with what city officials describe as “substantial budget shortfalls” requiring consideration of cuts to programs and services across the system.
The timing puts Thomas at the center of a community battle over the birthing center’s future. Newport City Council has scheduled a special meeting for Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m. to consider a resolution urging Brown Health and Newport Hospital leadership to maintain full operation of the maternity services.
“It’s important that he understand, on day one, that access to women and family health is a priority for this community,” Councilor Xay Khamsyvoravong wrote in his weekly newsletter Sunday, referring to the new president’s immediate agenda.
Community Mobilization
In his newsletter titled “The Last Generation of Newporters?”, Khamsyvoravong warned that closure of the birthing center would force expectant mothers to travel off-island for delivery services, potentially creating safety risks and economic hardships for families.
The proposed city council resolution outlines multiple concerns about a potential closure, including increased strain on emergency services and negative impacts on the city’s ability to attract young families. According to the resolution, expectant mothers typically make 2-4 impromptu trips to a delivery unit before giving birth, and without local services, they would likely overwhelm Newport Hospital’s emergency room before being diverted elsewhere.
The document also warns that closure would increase demand on Newport’s Fire and Rescue Department, whose ambulances would be “increasingly called upon to transport expectant mothers to off-island hospitals, potentially during time-sensitive and medically urgent situations.”
New Leader’s Background
Thomas brings extensive experience in healthcare leadership and operational efficiency. In his previous roles, he was instrumental in enhancing operational efficiencies, developing new service lines, and leading successful initiatives in physician wellness and telemedicine services. He has also served as CMO at Good Samaritan Medical Center and chief of the emergency department at Morton Hospital.
“I am thrilled to join Newport Hospital’s team of professionals and to work alongside its exceptional team to continue to provide top-notch care to our patients,” Thomas said in a statement. “I look forward to continuing the hospital’s legacy of excellence and collaboration with the Newport community to enhance this vital community resource.”
Thomas completed his medical degree at the College of Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University in Oman and did his residency in Emergency Medicine at George Washington University Hospital. He received a master’s in health care leadership from Brown University and is board-certified in Emergency Medicine and a Fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians.
What’s Next
The Newport City Council’s special meeting Tuesday will consider a resolution that, if passed, would be sent to Brown Health leadership, Newport Hospital’s president, the Governor of Rhode Island, and other state and federal officials.
Khamsyvoravong has urged community members to contact Sarah Frost, who was quoted in Monday’s announcement, as well as members of the Hospital Foundation’s boards and major donors to advocate for the birthing center’s preservation.
“We need you to tell your story,” Khamsyvoravong wrote. “Newport Hospital and their parent, Brown Health, needs to hear it from you.”
The special council meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at Newport City Hall, 43 Broadway. The resolution is sponsored by Councilors Xay Khamsyvoravong, Stephanie Smyth, Jeanne-Marie Napolitano, Ellen Pinnock, and David R. Carlin III.
