NMH names Thomas J. Senker new president and CEO

NEWTON-Newton Memorial Hospital has selected Thomas J. Senker as the organization’s new president and CEO. The announcement was made Oct. 10 by Christopher Lynch, chairman of the NMH board of directors. According to hospital officials, Senker will officially take office before the end of this year. He is scheduled to begin transition and orientation meetings over the next few months. Senker comes to Newton Memorial with over 30 years of health-care leadership experience. Most recently, he was president and CEO of Forbes Regional Hospital in Monroeville, Pa., where he served in that capacity since 2000. Previously, Senker was president and CEO of the Monongalia Health System in Morgantown, W. Va., from 1983 through 1999. Before Monongalia Health System, Senker served as administrator and CEO of Millville Hospital in Millville, N.J., from 1979 through 1983; he gained other health-care experience at Moses Taylor Hospital in Scranton, Pa.; and Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn, N.Y., from 1973 through 1979. Senker holds an MBA in Health and Hospital Administration from Cornell University and a BS in Management from the University of Scranton. “Mr. Senker’s background is very impressive and comprehensive,” said Lynch. “He has a proven track record of success in leading hospitals very much like ours, and he possesses tremendous insight on the issues facing today’s health care organizations.” Lynch noted that Senker is respected among his peers and is known for his strong leadership ability, including being a skilled communicator and having a proactive management style. Senker will relocate to Sussex County with Margaret, his wife of 30 years. The Senkers have three grown children and one grandchild. Last year, Newton Memorial’s current president and CEO, Dennis H. Collette, announced his intention to retire by 2006, after 20 years of service. At that time, the board began its search for a successor. “We had some very big shoes to fill with Dennis Collette retiring,” Lynch said. “Under his leadership, this hospital enjoyed financial stability and magnificent growth, including a new emergency department; a cancer treatment center; a renal center; a new single room maternity unit; outreach centers in Milford, Pa., and Sparta, and so much more. Dennis will be greatly missed.”