William C. Johnston named Executive Vice President, COO

South Shore Health President & CEO Allen L. Smith, MD, MS announced today that William C. Johnston will join the health system’s leadership team in June as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. This announcement concludes a months-long, national search.

“We are so excited to welcome Bill to the South Shore Health team,” said Dr. Smith. “His deep clinical, business, and leadership experience will prove essential as we pursue performance improvement measures and strategic clinical affiliations that will ensure our system can adapt to a rapidly changing healthcare landscape. I know he embraces our mission to be the first place our community turns to for their health and wellness needs.”

As COO, Johnston will oversee acute care services, including South Shore Hospital, the health system’s ambulatory surgical services and Home Care Division. He will also serve as South Shore Health’s senior leader for Dana-Farber/Brigham & Women’s Cancer Center in clinical affiliation with South Shore Hospital.

Johnston most recently served as senior vice president for clinical services at Brigham Health, where he managed all ambulatory enterprises and oversaw the departments of radiology and dermatology, as well as the division of primary care within the Department of Medicine. He was responsible for managing Brigham Health’s ambulatory network expansion and revitalization including the organization’s ambulatory surgery centers, major imaging, labs and multispecialty clinics. He also served as chief operating officer and treasurer for the Brigham and Women’s Physicians Organization during his nearly 25 years with the Brigham.

“As a longtime Scituate resident, I have profound respect for South Shore Health’s ability to provide the highest quality of care to patients right here on the South Shore,” Johnston said.

I am grateful for the opportunity to join a team that unites top-caliber talent, technology, and services with the needs of its patients, families, and community.

This announcement comes just six weeks after South Shore Health announced it would maintain its independence, concluding an RFP process undertaken as part of a larger strategic initiative. Johnston will work closely with Dr. Smith and the rest of South Shore Health’s leadership team to guide the system’s future strategy.

Johnston added, “I am especially excited to join the South Shore Health team at this pivotal moment in the system’s history. I look forward to working ‘As One’ with my new colleagues to build on our century-long legacy of providing exceptional care to the South Shore region, while transforming to meet the challenges of the next 100 years.”