Worcester Business Journal

4 Worcester Business Journal | February 24, 2025 | wbjournal.com I N B R I E F NIH funding cuts "This change in essential funding presents an urgent and significantly different financial model that will have a profound and sobering impact on re- search organizations. Across our nation, there is much uncertain- ty about how the new NIH policy will be implemented." Dr. Michael Collins, chancellor of UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester, on the President Donald Trump Administration's attempt to cap new and existing grants from the National Institutes of Health for indirect costs at 15%. A federal judge temporarily blocked the cuts on Feb. 10. Research 1 institution "WPI's research is expanding knowledge, enabling new solutions, and enriching the education of our students. I am thrilled to see WPI recognized nationally for its research achievements." Grace Wang, president of Worcester Polytechnic Institute, on the university's recognition as a Research 1 institution by the national American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching Laid off directors "I will continue to advocate for and create pathways for business success, ensuring that underestimated entrepreneurs have access to the resources, knowledge, and support they need to thrive." Racquel Knight, former director of the Worcester-based Center for Women & Enterprise Central MA, after she and the four other directors of the New England CWE directors were laid off as the nonprofit is feeling the effects of the President Donald Trump Administration's efforts to freeze federal aid to nonprofits with government contracts BY MICA KANNER-MASCOLO WBJ Staff Writer J ust three days aer his predecessor's resignation went into effect, Denten Park has been named the CEO of Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester and of the Massachusetts market of its parent company, Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare. Park took over the executive role on Feb. 17, leading the largest for-profit hospital system in Central Massachusetts and the region's second largest hospital. He will manage the strategic, operation, and clinical initiatives at Saint Vincent and Tenet-owned MetroWest Medical Center campuses in Framingham and Natick, according to a Feb. 18 press release from Saint Vincent. Park replaces Carolyn Jackson in both roles. On Feb. 4, Tenet announced Jackson's resignation, which went into effect on Feb. 14. She joined Saint Vincent as CEO in 2019, holding the role for far longer than any of Tenet's other hospital CEOs in Central Massachusetts in the last 10 years. During her six-year tenure, Jackson became the face of ongoing controversy surrounding both the hospital and Tenet. Under her leadership, Saint Vincent nurses staged the longest nurses strike Saint Vincent Hospital names new CEO following Carolyn Jackson's resignation Carolyn Jackson (left), the former CEO of Saint Vincent Hospital, and Denten Park, the hospital's new CEO in the state's history, and the hospital became the site of two Massachusetts Department of Public Health investigations following hundreds of complaints levied against it by the Massachusetts Nurses Association labor union. e DPH's first first investigation into the hospital was closed in March with the department stating Saint Vincent was back in compliance with applicable state and federal requirements. Park will now lead the hospital as it is currently under investigation by the DPH. Park comes to the Worcester hospital having served in the roles of market CEO of multi-hospital systems, project president, and CEO at Community Health Systems, a Tennessee-based healthcare provider. He earned his MBA from New Mexico State University and his bachelor's degree from Utah State University. "We are excited to have a seasoned healthcare executive like Denten leading our operations in Massachusetts," Maggie Gill, Eastern Group president for Tenet, said in the release. "I am confident that his experience and leadership will be instrumental in building strong relationships with our staff, physicians, and community, and advancing our mission of providing high-quality care." W "I am confident that his experience and leadership will be instrumental in building strong relationships with our staff, physicians, and community, and advancing our mission of providing high-quality care." – Maggie Gill, Eastern Group president for Tenet

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