New Haven, CT (June 29, 2026) –Yale New Haven Health System (YNHHS) announced today that Chief Executive Officer Christopher O’Connor will be leaving the Health System following a 14-year tenure.
O’Connor joined YNHHS after helping lead the Health System’s acquisition of the Hospital of Saint Raphael. During his tenure, including four years as CEO, he oversaw the integrations of Westerly Hospital, Lawrence + Memorial Hospital, and Milford Hospital into YNHHS. He also spearheaded greater alignment and strategic collaboration with the System’s academic partner, Yale School of Medicine. O’Connor has positioned YNHHS to open the Adams Neurosciences Center in 2027, which will be the largest strategic project in the history of the academic health system, bringing together advanced science and compassionate care for patients and families facing complex neurological and neurosurgical conditions.
“We are extremely grateful to Chris for his commitment to the System and many years of service,” said Mary Farrell, Chair of the YNHHS Board of Trustees. “He has worked tirelessly to serve our patients and communities during the pandemic with exemplary care and results, and leaves YNHHS in a strong and successful position as we continue to offer the very best care to every one of our patients.”
Pamela Sutton-Wallace, current president of Yale New Haven Health, has been appointed Acting CEO, effective immediately. She has played a central role in advancing key Health System initiatives and brings
extensive experience leading academic health systems.
O’Connor will serve as a Special Advisor to the Chair of the Board of Trustees during the transition.
The YNHHS Board of Trustees will be conducting a national search for the next CEO over the next several months.
Yale New Haven Health (YNHHS), the largest and most comprehensive healthcare system in Connecticut, is recognized for advanced clinical care, quality, service, cost effectiveness and commitment to improving the health status of the communities it serves. YNHHS includes five hospitals – Bridgeport, Greenwich, Lawrence + Memorial, Westerly and Yale New Haven hospitals, several specialty networks and Northeast Medical Group, a non-profit medical foundation with several hundred community-based and hospital-employed physicians. YNHHS is affiliated with Yale University and Yale Medicine, the clinical practice of the Yale School of Medicine and the largest academic multi-specialty practice in New England. Yale New Haven Hospital is the primary teaching hospital of Yale School of Medicine. www.ynhhs.org
