On Friday, March 1, colleagues, employees, family members and friends of outgoing president Jeff Otten (right) and incoming president Gary Gottlieb, MD, MBA (left), 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 all offered their praise to Otten and Gottlieb.
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 the great predecessors before him,” 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.