Middlesex Hospital Board of Directors
The Middlesex Hospital Board of Directors is ultimately responsible for implementation of the mission and the governance of the Middlesex Health System.
Specific responsibilities of the Board include overseeing the organization, maintaining the fiscal standards of the System, spearheading quality improvement initiatives and fund raising efforts, leading the System’s management group, granting Medical Staff privileges and more.
The Board of Directors is comprised of a number of multi-talented individuals, each with a unique skill set that enhances the capabilities of the Board as a whole. Those skills include a history of achievement, ability to work in a team-oriented environment, philanthropy and governance experience and a receptiveness to training.
In addition, the individual Board members present a number of outstanding personal characteristics including integrity, intelligence, compassion, independence and objectivity.
Directors of Middlesex Health System, Inc. (“System”) are elected by the corporators (members) at the annual meeting generally held each year in October. The System, as sole member of the Hospital, in turn elects as Directors of the Hospital, the Directors of the System. Directorships are staggered such that the terms of approximately one-third of all directors expire each year. An executive search firm has been retained to assist in identifying appropriate Board members. Selection criteria, evaluation criteria, continuing education mandates and term limits has resulted in a Board composed of an outstanding group of business and community leaders who have fostered a quest for excellence by the Hospital.
The Board of Directors consists of 12 elected and 1 ex-officio member. The professional background of the members is broad and includes banking, community service, education, insurance, manufacturing, medicine and business.
The Middlesex Health System Board of Directors include:
R. Christopher Seaton, Chairman
Mr. Seaton is Senior Vice President, Global Transactions, at Bayer Pharmaceuticals.
He is responsible for leading significant Business Development transactions in Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals and providing transaction support to the US Regional organization of Bayer Pharmaceuticals AG, including licensing, product acquisition, divestitures and out-licensing. Mr. Seaton is based in the United States with direct reports in the USA and Germany.
Mr. Seaton earned both his Masters of Business Administration and his undergraduate degree from McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Mr. Seaton has had experience in multiple countries and businesses. Immediately prior to his current role he was responsible for Business Development and Licensing for Bayer Pharmaceuticals (a predecessor of Bayer Schering Pharmaceuticals AG) and prior to that, for Business Planning and Administration for Bayer Pharmaceuticals in North America, a function which covered Finance, Information Systems, Strategic Planning and North American Licensing.
He worked for Bayer in Canada from 1982 to 1988 and rejoined the company in 1995 in the United States. He has lived and worked in Canada and the United Kingdom, in addition to the United States. He also has experience in multiple industries and companies, including General Electric and the predecessor company to Astra-Zeneca, the multi-national Pharmaceutical company.
Mr. Seaton and his wife live in Madison, Connecticut. They have three grown children. He is an avid motorcyclist, an amateur photographer and astronomer and reads extensively (History, Science and General Fiction).
He is the Chairman of the Governance Committee, and a member of the Executive Compensation Committee, and the Joint Conference Committee.
David A. Baggish, M.D.
Dr. Baggish joined the Middlesex Health System Board of Directors in 1998 and is now the Board’s Secretary. He is Chair of the Department of Medicine at Middlesex Hospital. Dr. Baggish is a Fellow of both the American College of Physicians and the American College of Nephrology. He is a member of the Investment Committee, Finance Committee, and Quality Improvement Committee. He is Secretary of both Middlesex Health Services, Inc. and Middlesex Health Resources, Inc. Dr. Baggish was also president of the Medical Staff from 1995-1997.
Nancy M. D’Oench
Mrs. D’Oench joined the Middlesex Health System Board of Directors in 1992. She is a former teacher, writer and editor, and is the author of three books, The Fine Art of Flower Arranging and Gardens Private and Personal for The Garden Club of America, and Flower Arranging the American Way for WAFA USA, the World Association of Flower Arrangers. She has served as director and as national chairman of the Awards and Nominating Committees of The Garden Club of America. Mrs. D'Oench is a member of the Finance, and Quality Improvement Committees and is also a member of Middlesex Health Services, Inc.
Geoffrey E. Herter, M.D.
Dr. Herter joined the Middlesex Health System Board of Directors in 2005. He is a urologist with Middlesex Urology and was Vice President of the Medical Staff from 1997-1999, and President of the Medical Staff from 1999-2003. Dr. Herter is a member of the Patient Safety Committee.
Chandler J. Howard
Chandler Howard became president and chief executive officer of Liberty Bank in 2007. Prior to joining Liberty Bank, he was president and CEO of First City Fund Corp., a community foundation in New Haven. Howard previously headed up Bank of America in Connecticut. He has over 30 years of experience in the field of banking. A Vietnam veteran, Howard earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut and a master’s degree in finance from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He is a member of the Finance Committee and the Investment Committee.
Hugh C. MacKenzie
Mr. MacKenzie joined the Middlesex Health System Board of Directors in 1995. He is the retired President of the Retail Business Group of the Northeast Utilities System, as well as the retired President of the Connecticut Light and Power Company and the Western Massachusetts Electric Company. Mr. MacKenzie was a member of the Board of the Capital Region United Way, past Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Metro Hartford Regional Economic Alliance and a senior fellow of the American Leadership Forum. He is also Chairman of the Finance Committee and a member of the Governance Committee, Executive Compensation Committee and the Joint Conference Committee.
Bruce S. MacMillian
Mr. MacMillian is President & CEO of MacMillian Investments. He has 40-plus years of business experience in a Fortune 500 company setting, as President of Travelers’ International Operations. He also has experience in the small business environment, most recently as President & CEO of CEU.com, a company he sold in December of 2009. Mr. MacMillian has been a Corporator of Middlesex Health System since 1992 and joined the Board of Directors in 2005. He is Chair of the Finance Committee and a member of the Governance Committee, Audit Committee, Joint Conference Committee and the Executive Compensation Committee.
James O. Matschulat
Mr. Matschulat joined the Middlesex Health System Board of Directors in 1987, and was Chairman from 1990-1994. He is currently a Visiting Associate Professor at the University of New Haven. He is also CEO Emeritus of Middlesex Mutual Assurance Company. Mr. Matschulat serves on the boards of a number of community service organizations. He is a member of the Audit Committee.
John W. Rafal, J.D.
Mr. Rafal served on the Hospital Board from 2000 until 2003 and rejoined in 2007. He is the Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Essex Financial Services. Mr. Rafal has more than 30 years of experience in financial advisory services and has received numerous industry awards in the field of investment management. Mr. Rafal was named the #1 Independent Financial Advisor in the country by Barron’s Magazine for 2007 and 2008, and he was named as one of “The Best 100 Financial Advisers” in the United States by Barron’s Magazine in 2004-2011. He is a member of the Connecticut and American Bar Associations, the Financial Planning Association, and is a Registered Securities Principal. Mr. Rafal also serves as a Board member of the Essex Savings Bank, The UConn Foundation and The Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center, Inc. He is a past member of the Board of the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra and The Cove. He is also a Chairman of the MHS Investment Committee.
Eric W. Thornburg
Mr. Thornburg joined the Middlesex Health System Board in 2010. He is president and CEO of Connecticut Water Service, Inc. in Clinton, the largest domestic investor-owned utility in New England. Mr. Thornburg currently serves on the Executive Committee and Board of Directors for the National Association of Water Companies, based in Washington, D.C. Mr. Thornburg has been active with many community service and business organizations including Water for People, Habitat for Humanity and the Rotary Club. He is Chair of the Audit Committee, and a member of the Governance Committee, Finance Committee, Executive Compensation Committee, Joint Conference Committee and Patient Safety Committee.
Barbara M. Weiss
Mrs. Weiss joined the Middlesex Health System Board of Directors in 1995. She served on the Middletown Board of Education for 25 years and for many years served as its Secretary. She is past-President of the United Way, a former member of the Middletown Republican Town Committee and a former board member of the Middletown YMCA. Mrs. Weiss has been an active volunteer in Middlesex Hospital's annual Special Gifts Campaign for many years. She is the Chair of Middlesex Health Resources, and a member of the Middlesex Hospital Quality Improvement Committee.
Gary K. Willis
Mr. Willis joined the Middlesex Health System Board of Directors in 1996. He is the retired President and CEO of ZYGO Corporation. He is active with the Citizens Scholarship Foundation of America and is a trustee at Wheaton College. Mr. Willis is also on the Advisory Board of Tom’s of Maine. Mr. Willis is Chair of the Executive Compensation Committee, and also a member of the Governance Committee, Investment Committee, Quality Improvement Committee and Joint Conference Committee. Additionally, he is Chair of Middlesex Health Services, Inc.
