The top job is open at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Plymouth. Kevin Coughlin, president for the past nine years, will retire from that post early next year or after a successor is found.
While the hospital made no public announcement of his planned departure, Coughlin has reportedly been telling friends and colleagues privately for several weeks. He declined a request for an interview.
“We are deeply grateful for Kevin’s outstanding leadership, and his dedication and strategic vision that have led to the hospital’s significant growth and progress,” Dean Carucci, divisional president, who oversees the community hospitals and clinics for the Beth Israel Lahey Health system, said in an emailed statement responding to the Independent’s inquiry.
“As president, Kevin has strengthened the hospital by expanding specialty care services, cultivating a workforce that attracts and retains strong talent, and enhancing philanthropic initiatives that support the delivery of high-quality clinical care,” Carucci said. “We are in an active search for the next president of BID Plymouth, and Kevin has graciously agreed to lead the hospital until our search has concluded.”
Coughlin was hired by the hospital in August 2014 as senior vice president and was promoted to president in October 2016. He previously held leadership positions at the Elliot Health System in New Hampshire and at Boston Medical Center.
During his tenure in Plymouth, Coughlin dealt with the shocks of the Covid-19 pandemic and the 2024 death of Rodney Riviello, who had been brought to the hospital by ambulance after falling on a Manomet sidewalk, but walked out of the building unsupervised. His body was found four days later about a half mile away.
Coughlin is credited with pushing forward on a long-needed $116 million expansion program that will increase the hospital’s capacity for cancer care, surgical and emergency services. He also played a key role in fending off a nurses strike this year by reaching a three-year deal with the Massachusetts Nurses Association after contentious negotiations.
Lahey officials said Coughlin’s departure does not signal any change in the hospital’s operations or strategic plan. “BID Plymouth is deeply committed to its mission of delivering extraordinary care in the community, and no changes to upcoming projects are anticipated,” Sarah Finlaw, spokesperson for Beth Israel Lahey Health, said in an email.
In early November, Coughlin hosted Plymouth’s state legislative delegation for a tour of the ongoing emergency department expansion work and for a general briefing of the hospital’s plans. In that meeting, legislators were already aware of his planned retirement.
“Kevin did a great job getting us through the pandemic and helping this hospital expand care for our community,” said State Rep. Kathy LaNatra, who attended the meeting. “Kevin also has a great team around him and that, I think, will help the hospital continue to grow and provide the services we need, which is huge for us.”
State Rep. Michelle Badger agreed, saying “we are lucky to have a hospital in Plymouth and I want it to continue to evolve and provide the care people need right here in this community, so they don’t have to go to Boston.”
The Beth Israel Lahey System is advertising for the job, and according to a LinkedIn help wanted ad, it pays $440,000 to $540,000.
Michael Cohen can be reached at michael@plymouthindependent.org.