Thomas Burke Named President of Saint Francis Hospital

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Following a thorough, national search, Saint Francis Hospital has named Thomas Burke, BPharm, MBA as President. Burke, who joined the Saint Francis team in 2016, has served as Interim President since May 2020, taking on the leadership role in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I am pleased to make the announcement of Tom’s appointment as President of Saint Francis Hospital,” said Reginald Eadie, MD, MBA, President and CEO of Trinity Health Of New England. “Tom stepped into the role as Interim President during the pandemic and at a time of great challenge and transition within our organization. He rose to the occasion and proved his ability to lead with enthusiasm and with the utmost respect for every one of our colleagues and members of our medical staff.”

The rigorous interview process involved input and perspective from Saint Francis medical staff and leadership, the Trinity Health Of New England Executive Leadership Team, as well as members of the Saint Francis Board, the Saint Francis Foundation Board, and the Trinity Health of New England Board.

“I would like to thank Dr. Eadie, along with all members of Saint Francis and Trinity Health leadership who have provided me with the opportunity to serve as President,” said Burke. “My time as Interim President during this unprecedented time has given me a unique opportunity to grow as a leader. I look forward to serving in this role and supporting all our Saint Francis colleagues as we continue to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.”

Prior to being named to the Interim President role, Burke had successfully led the clinical and operational support services, as well as productivity management for Saint Francis. Burke’s extensive experience in senior-level leadership positions include Vice President for Financial Operations at Prospect Medical Holdings and Vice President of Operations at Waterbury Hospital. He is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and he achieved his Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.

Burke also gained further leadership experience by participating in Trinity Health’s Strategic Leadership Program (SLP) for executive leaders. The SLP is an intensive, 20-month program that provides a customized, interactive, high-impact learning experience and develops the skills, knowledge, and strategic perspectives required to address the challenges facing today’s health care leaders.

Burke obtained a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and a Master of Business Administration from Saint Joseph’s University, also in Philadelphia.

About Saint Francis Hospital

Saint Francis Hospital has been an anchor institution in north central Connecticut since 1897. In 2015, Saint Francis became part of Trinity Health Of New England, a member of Trinity Health, one of the largest multi-institutional Catholic health care delivery systems in the nation. Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center is licensed for 617 beds, is a major teaching hospital and the largest Catholic hospital in New England. Other Saint Francis entities include the Comprehensive Women’s Health Center, the Connecticut Joint Replacement Institute, the Curtis D. Robinson Center for Health Equity, the Hoffman Heart and Vascular Institute of Connecticut, the Smilow Cancer Hospital Yale-New Haven at Saint Francis, and Trinity Health Of New England Medical Group. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @SaintFrancisCT