KVHC promotes Humphrey to CEO

     PATTEN, Maine — Katahdin Valley Health Center will have a new chief executive officer following the retirement announcement of Durwood Humphrey.

     The KVHC board of directors have named Claudette Humphrey as its next chief executive officer. Humphrey’s appointment began at the start of the month, but Durwood Humphrey will remain with KVHC until May 2017.

     Claudette Humphrey is the daughter-in-law of Durwood Humphrey.

     Katahdin Valley Health Center is a Federally Qualified Health Center dedicated to providing community accessible, quality care to northern Penobscot, southern Aroostook and Piscataquis counties.

     Durwood Humphrey said he decided to retire from his position after 17 years, but he will still do some consulting. He expects the transition to be seamless.

     Claudette Humphrey has more than 20 years leadership experience with expertise in leading and engaging teams. She has served for the past three years as the director of development and grants at Katahdin Valley Health Center. Her record of accomplishment and commitment to the community health center mission has enhanced growth and accessibility in the communities served by Katahdin Valley Health Center. Her reputation for creating innovative strategies to remove health care barriers coupled with her collaboration with other health care agencies positions her well in leading Katahdin Valley Health Center’s mission forward.

    When asked what interests her most about leading this organization Humphrey replied “Removing the health care barriers for the people in our local communities. The bottom line it’s about helping people gain access to the services they need in the communities where they live. I am honored to work with an incredibly dedicated group of individuals; our friendly staff, talented physicians, industrious leadership team and board of directors are committed to providing a medical home for all of the patients we serve.”

     Board of Directors President Glenda Dwyer said, “We were pleased to have an internal candidate step into the CEO position at KVHC. We look forward to working with Claudette to deliver the mission and strategic plan that has been established.”

     Katahdin Valley Health Center’s sites offer high quality primary care, dental care, podiatry, optometry, pharmacy and behavioral health services, with clinics in Patten, Houlton, Island Falls, Millinocket, Ashland and Brownville.