Hudson Headwaters Names Deputy CEO
Hudson Headwaters has named Dr. Tucker Slingerland to the newly created position of Deputy Chief Executive Officer. Slingerland, a family practice physician, has been with Hudson Headwaters for eight years, currently serving as Vice President for Strategy in addition to his clinical service as a practicing physician.
“The new position is recognition for the expanding role Dr. Slingerland is now playing in guiding our growth and managing relationships across the North Country – a region now extending to the northern border,” said John Rugge, MD, and founding CEO for Hudson Headwaters.
Dr. Rugge said that Hudson Headwaters’ growth has made increasing demands on his time and that having a Deputy CEO will enable the Network to accomplish more. “We have been expanding our footprint, adding critical services, and entering key partnerships to ensure we will be at the forefront of an ever changing medical landscape. It’s impossible to be present for every essential meeting and to be personally involved with all our diverse collaborations not to mention the various state councils that Hudson Headwaters is being asked to populate. Dr. Slingerland’s effectiveness as an executive is already helping us address regional health challenges. He brings a powerful perspective, and is highly respected by his colleagues.”
“John Rugge has been a great mentor,” Slingerland said. “What he has built at Hudson Headwaters is incredible. Having high quality health care available locally makes a big difference in the lives of tens of thousands of people we serve in small Adirondack communities, the Glens Falls area and along the Canadian border. I am honored to be in a position to help Hudson Headwaters continue to accomplish great things for the people who depend on us for care.”
Slingerland has a bachelor’s degree from Williams College, earned his medical degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine, and completed his medical training at the University of Vermont Medical College where he held the position of Chief Resident in Family Medicine.
“The board is unanimously supportive of Dr. Slingerland as our first-ever Deputy Chief Executive Officer,” said Barbara Sweet, Chair of the Hudson Headwaters Board of Directors.
Dr. Rugge noted that Slingerland will be continuing to see patients at the Warrensburg Health Center. “Every one of our physician leaders remains committed to hands-on patient care,” he said. “This way we stay close to the people we have the privilege of serving.”
Hudson Headwaters is a not-for-profit, community-based network of 17 health centers serving the Lake George/Adirondack and Glens Falls Region since 1981 and the northern Clinton County area since 2012. Services include comprehensive primary care, obstetrics and gynecology, behavioral health, dentistry, podiatry, select specialty services, lab and imaging.