Warwick, RI -- Care New England’s Kent Hospital has announced the appointment of Jeffrey Sanders, MHA, as Interim President, effective Monday, September 29, 2025. Sanders steps into the role following the recent departure of Kent President and COO, Paari Gopalakrishnan, MD, MBA, and will provide executive leadership as the search continues for Kent Hospital’s next permanent President and Chief Operating Officer.
Sanders brings more than 20 years of distinguished leadership in healthcare administration, with a track record of delivering operational excellence, enhancing patient care, and driving strategic innovation within complex, integrated health systems and academic medical centers.
“Jeff’s extensive experience, coupled with his deep commitment to patient-centered care, makes him an ideal leader during this transition,” said Michael Wagner, MD, President and CEO of Care New England. “We are confident he will be a valuable partner to the Kent team as we continue our search for a permanent leader.”
Most recently, Sanders served as President of the Southern Region at Maine Health, a $3.5 billion integrated health system. In this role, he provided executive oversight for Maine Medical Center, a 700-bed academic medical center and the state’s only children’s hospital, and Southern Maine Health Care, which includes a 135-bed rehabilitation hospital. During his tenure, the medical center achieved both an “A” safety rating from Leapfrog and a 5-star rating from Medicare. He also led the successful completion of a $179 million capital campaign and was instrumental in advancing facility modernization plans valued at over $500 million.
Sanders is known for his ability to lead complex organizational transformations, such as merging hospital governance structures, launching physician joint ventures, and advancing community engagement for major capital projects. He has also championed Lean management systems, innovation in care delivery, and strengthened academic and clinical partnerships—most notably with Boston Children’s Hospital.
Sanders holds a Master of Healthcare Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Saint Anselm College. He is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and has served on numerous boards, including the Maine Hospital Association, United Way of Greater Portland, and Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce.
“I am honored to join Kent Hospital during this important time and look forward to working alongside a talented team dedicated to providing exceptional care to the community,” said Sanders. “Together, we will build on the hospital’s strong foundation and continue advancing clinical excellence, innovation, and compassionate service.”
As Interim President, Sanders will work closely with hospital leadership, staff, CNE leadership, and the broader community to ensure continuity of care, support frontline teams, and advance Kent Hospital’s mission of providing high-quality, compassionate care to the people of Rhode Island.
About Kent Hospital
Kent Hospital, a Care New England facility, is a 359-bed, acute care hospital. It ranks as Rhode Island’s second-largest hospital, serving around 300,000 residents in central Rhode Island. As a teaching affiliate of The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and The University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kent provides training programs in emergency medicine, family medicine, internal medicine, podiatry, diabetology, and gastroenterology. Its Emergency Department (ED), classified as a high-volume ED by CMS, handles roughly 55,000 patients annually and is one of four hospitals in Rhode Island offering emergency angioplasty for heart attacks. Additionally, it has been recognized as a verified geriatric surgery facility by the American College of Surgeons Geriatric Surgery Verification (GSV) program—the first hospital in New England and the 25th nationwide to earn this distinction. Kent Hospital also maintains a longstanding clinical partnership with Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital, providing excellent local care for conditions like cardiology, pulmonary issues, thoracic surgery, colorectal surgery, and other specialties. The hospital is dedicated to becoming age-friendly to deliver top-quality care for older adults. Its Silver-Level 2 Geriatric ED Accreditation and Acute Care for Elders (ACE) unit exemplifies Kent’s commitment to Healthy Aging and managing issues affecting the health and well-being of the aging community.