Northern Light Health has named its new president and CEO.
Guy Hudson will take the reins of the health system, with hospitals from Presque Isle to Portland, in mid-October, Brewer-based Northern Light Health announced Tuesday morning.
He will succeed Tim Dentry, who announced his retirement in the spring.
“We are delighted that we have been able to attract such a talented and experienced physician executive as Dr. Hudson to lead Northern Light Health in the years to come,” said John Ryan, chair of Northern Light Health’s board of directors. “Dr. Hudson brings a unique combination of compassionate clinical expertise and vision for serving the healthcare needs of rural communities. He has a proven record of leading financial turnarounds in hospital systems, balancing the need for financial discipline with providing world-class healthcare to the community. Dr. Hudson is the ideal candidate to lead Northern Light Health during these uniquely challenging times, and we look forward to welcoming him to our community in Maine.”
Hudson’s arrival comes during a tumultuous period for Northern Light Health. The system is locked in stalled negotiations with health insurer Anthem, which — if unresolved — could affect 30,000 Mainers who may find Northern Light’s services outside of their network.
Northern Light Health also is grappling with financial turmoil, a period that has seen it shed services, announce the closure of its Waterville hospital and the departure of several other high-level leaders.
More cuts and service changes are coming to Northern Light Health in the coming months.
That financial turmoil gripping Northern Light may be compounded by federal Medicaid cuts and a state law expanding charity care.
Before Maine, Hudson served six years as CEO of Swedish Health Services in Washington state. He also served as chief executive of Providence’s North Division, which provides health services to the Puget Sound and Alaska.
He left those positions in 2023.
“I am drawn to organizations with exceptional people and a strong sense of purpose—and Maine is rich in both,” Hudson said in a statement. “Northern Light Health’s unwavering commitment to rural healthcare and to the well-being of the communities it serves deeply resonates with me. Having grown up in a rural area, I understand the critical importance of ensuring access to high-quality care close to home. I am inspired by the system’s forward-looking efforts to meet the evolving needs of patients and strengthen access for future generations. I am honored to join this dedicated team and look forward to advancing our shared mission.”
Hudson joined Swedish Health Services in 2007 as a pediatric urology surgeon and to help the system expand access to specialty care in western Washington, Providence said in a statement announcing his departure two years ago.
He has received numerous accolades for his pediatric work.
Dentry will remain CEO and president of Northern Light Health until Hudson arrives in October.
