River Hospital has exclusively retained AMN Healthcare to lead a national search to recruit the next President and Chief Executive Officer. 

The Opportunity:

River Hospital is seeking an accomplished, results-oriented healthcare executive to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the critical access hospital dedicated to providing healthcare services to the residents of Alexandria Bay, The Thousand Islands, and other neighboring communities in northern New York state. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a high quality, financially sustainable organization with a rich history.

Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the President and Chief Executive Officer of River Hospital provides administrative leadership and strategic direction to all aspects of the organization to ensure the mission, vision, and values are achieved while sustaining current high levels of patient care quality and safety, patient satisfaction, and financial performance. He or she must demonstrate a commitment to and be accountable for improving the health status of the region and serving/supporting the public, employees and clinical staff, both employed and affiliated, with River Hospital. Additionally, the CEO will serve as a highly visible leader and strong advocate for River Hospital within the local community, with state and local governmental agencies, business and healthcare professional organizations, as well as other healthcare institutions.

The Ideal Candidate:

• An advanced degree in business administration, healthcare management, or related field is preferred.

• Minimum of ten years progressively responsible experience in healthcare management, with at least five years in a senior-level executive role.

• Leadership experience within a community or regional-based rural acute care hospital setting is required and experience within a Critical Access Hospital is preferred.

• Strong healthcare financial management skills and expertise with a track record for improving profitability within a challenging reimbursement environment.

• Demonstrated success in building and maintaining positive, effective, and productive physician/hospital relationships with both independent and employed physicians. 

• Proven community relations experience. 

• Prior experience working effectively with a Board of Directors.

• Proven experience with governmental advocacy and philanthropy is preferred. 

• Prior experience in pursuing, evaluating, and negotiating strategic affiliations and partnerships is a plus.

The Organization:

River Hospital is a not-for-profit, 22-bed Critical Access Hospital with $30.4M in annual net revenue that provides general medical and surgical services that provides acute and outpatient services to the residents of Alexandria Bay and surrounding areas. With more than 250 employees, River Hospital is a major employer in its service area and benefits from a loyal, dedicated workforce and strong community support.  

The Region:

Alexandria Bay is located in the beautiful 1000 Islands of Northern New York. Amidst the gentle waters of the St. Lawrence Seaway there is a place like no other. The waters guide you to a place of year-round beauty—a sportsman’s and boater’s paradise. Of the 1,864 islands that dot the St. Lawrence River and comprise the spectacular 1000 Island Region, many of the most amazing islands can be found in, and surrounding, Alexandria Bay. While Alexandria Bay has a relatively low population of just over 1,000 people during the winter months, the late spring, summer, and early fall seasons bring an influx of vacationers and avid boaters that cause the population of the village to increase to more than 15,000. Alexandria Bay is within easy driving to distance to Syracuse, New York (90-minute drive), Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (under two-hour drive), and Montreal, Quebec, Canada (under three-hour drive).

Alexandria Bay and The Thousand Islands are situated in New York state’s North Country Region, the northernmost region of New York, bordered by Lake Champlain to the east, the Adirondack Mountains and the Upper Capital District to the south, the Mohawk Valley region to the southwest, the Canadian border to the north, and Lake Ontario and the Saint Lawrence Seaway to the west. A mostly rural area, the North Country includes seven counties. Fort Drum, a U.S. Army base, is also located in the North Country, as is the Adirondack Park. As of 2024, the population of the region was 420,311. 

Nominations and referrals as well as resumes from interested candidates may be sent to:

Heather Van Hecke, Consultant

Executive & Physician Leadership Search, AMN Leadership Solutions

Email: Heather.VanHecke@amnhealthcare.com

About AMN Healthcare on behalf of River Hospital

Connections working at AMN Healthcare on behalf of River Hospital