Skip to contents
In This Issue:
On Friday, March 1, colleagues, employees, family members and friends of outgoing president Jeff Otten and incoming president Gary Gottlieb, MD, MBA, gathered to wish Otten well on his future endeavors and to congratulate Gottlieb on his new post at the helm of BWH. The well-attended reception was held in the Cabot Atrium and included official remarks from BWH and Partners leaders and a special visit from Mayor Tom Menino.
The event honored Otten’s many accomplishments during his five years as president and throughout his BWH tenure, which began in 1993. It was also a time to welcome and congratulate Gottlieb on his new position and reinforce the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for BWH.
An introduction by Michael Bell, chairman of the BWH Board of Trustees, and the one who led the search committee that resulted in Gottlieb’s selection, was followed by remarks from members of Partners, BWH and community leadership—Jack Connors, chairman, Partners Board of Trustees; Mayor Menino; Thomas Glynn, chief operating officer, Partners; Matt Van Vranken, chief operating officer, BWH and Margy Hanson, RN, senior vice president of Network Development, BWH—who all offered their praise to Otten and Gottlieb.
“I want to thank my friend Jeff Otten and his wife Ardell for the extraordinary contributions that they have made to this great hospital, which is my hospital,” said Connors, who also complimented Gottlieb on his past success in the Partners network and wished him future success at BWH. “Gary is a good man, a great manager and he’s a wonderful doctor. I know that he will not rest in his new responsibilities until each and everyone of you are impressed with his leadership,” added Connors, who set the tone for an endearing, but lighthearted event.
“Thank you, Jeff Otten, for what you’ve done for this hospital,” said Mayor Menino, who was quick to share his admiration for BWH and its leadership as a business partner and a longtime BWH patient. The mayor also spoke fondly of his friendship with the late Dr. Richard Nesson—a relationship that carried on with Otten when he succeeded Nesson as BWH’s president.
Van Vranken, who was recruited and hired by Otten nearly five years ago, followed the Mayor with his comments to both his mentor and to his new boss. “Jeff is responsible for understanding that the quality of worklife for all of us is really key to us being successful in the future. In addition to thanking Jeff, I want to let Gary know that the executive team and I stand ready for any challenges that we will face in the future.”
After listening to the many kind remarks and enjoying the buzz of a festive crowd, the men of honor had their time to address the crowd of well-wishers.“This is a great day for me,” said Otten as he first addressed the crowd. He then individually thanked those who had provided remarks on their professional loyalty and friendship.
“I have had such a great group of people to work with at BWH,” said Otten. “It’s also been an absolute pleasure to participate since day one in the formation of Partners,” he added.
To officially mark the transition of the BWH presidency, Otten presented Gottlieb with a commemorative key to the old Peter Bent Brigham Hospital. Gottlieb then shared his thoughts on taking over as president with the crowd.
“It’s humbling to accept this seamless transition from a leader of this magnitude,” began Gottlieb, who actually first met and worked with Otten during a part of his career in Philadelphia.
“This is a privilege and one that I promise you I will uphold with the kind of dignity that you are used to from Jeff Otten and his predecessors,” added Gottlieb, who commended the standard of excellence maintained by all levels of staff at BWH and explained that he looks forward to carrying the hospital’s mission forward.