Contact: Debora Spano
508-334-4252
401-258-3081 (cell)
Debora.spano@umassmemorial.org

WORCESTER, Mass. – UMass Memorial Medical Center Care has announced that Lisa Colombo, DNP, MHA, RN, has accepted the position of senior vice president for Patient Care Services and chief nursing officer at UMass Memorial Medical Center, effective January 19. Colombo was previously president of UMass Memorial Medical Center – Clinton Hospital. 

“Though Lisa Colombo’s tenure as president at Clinton Hospital was short, her impact has been substantial in leading our hospital family in providing stellar patient care to our community,” said William McGrail, JD, chairman of the board of trustees for Clinton Hospital. “She will now take her perspective and leadership skills to UMass Memorial Medical Center and as a faculty member of the Graduate School of Nursing at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.” 

In this role, she will oversee all nursing operations on the four Worcester locations including the University, Memorial and Hahnemann campuses and the Psychiatric Treatment and Recovery Center. She will also join the UMass Memorial Health Care system leadership, elevating the voice of nursing to the most senior level of the system. 

“Lisa brings the perfect composite of values and compassion to the position of chief nursing officer of the Medical Center,” said Patrick Muldoon, president, UMass Memorial Medical Center. “Patient care is her true calling and she is passionate about excellence in clinical nursing practice. I, and all the caregivers, look forward to this opportunity to once again collaborate with Lisa.” 

“Lisa’s uncompromising commitment to patients and caregivers has distinguished her as a true leader,” said Douglas Brown, JD, president, community hospitals and chief administration officer of UMass Memorial Health Care. “For more than 30 years, she has been focused on improving the care of patients through leadership and hands-on experience in nursing, inpatient and outpatient hospital administration. As president, Lisa has prepared the Clinton Hospital family for a smooth merger with UMass Memorial - HealthAlliance Hospital, ensuring longevity and expansion opportunities for both organizations and providing access to the best care for both communities.” 

“I am proud to have led the team that brought the Clinton and HealthAlliance hospitals together,” said Colombo. “I believe in the UMass Memorial Health Care system and these hospitals are integral to our plans in North Central Massachusetts – both now and in the future. Having been in a leadership role at both HealthAlliance and Clinton hospitals, I will bring a unique perspective to my new role. I am honored to join the system leadership team and look forward to ensuring the success of each UMass Memorial Health Care entity.  

She formerly served as corporate vice president for clinical operations and chief nursing officer at HealthAlliance Hospital from 2009 to 2013. During her tenure there, she helped to make significant improvements in operations, technology implementations and development of the Simonds-Sinon Regional Cancer Center as well as enhancing patient experience and quality management initiatives.  

Colombo earned a doctorate in nursing and a master’s degree in health care administration.  She will also hold the position of associate dean of clinical practice in the Graduate School of Nursing at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, the academic partner of UMass Memorial Health Care. 

Colombo worked at UMass Memorial Medical Center in 2013 where she was interim senior vice president and chief nursing officer working on several operational and quality improvements. Prior to accepting her role with Clinton Hospital, Colombo was most recently senior vice president and chief nursing officer of Lahey Hospital and Medical Center. 

She lives in Westford with her two sons.

About UMass Memorial Health Care 

UMass Memorial Health Care is the largest not-for-profit health care system in Central Massachusetts with more than 12,900 employees and 1,670 physicians, many of whom are members of UMass Memorial Medical Group. Our member hospitals and entities include Clinton Hospital, HealthAlliance Hospital, Marlborough Hospital, UMass Memorial Medical Center and Community Healthlink, our behavioral health agency. With our teaching and research partner, the University of Massachusetts Medical School, our extensive primary care network and our cancer, diabetes, heart and vascular, and musculoskeletal programs, UMass Memorial delivers safe, high-quality and compassionate care. 

Call 855-UMASS-MD (855-862-7763) for all your health care needs. Visit https://www.ummhealth.org/.