St. Croix Regional Family Health Center (SCRFHC) proudly announces the appointment of Dr. Michael Farrell, DC, MBA, as its new Executive Director/CEO, effective April 22, 2024.
Dr. Farrell brings unique experience in healthcare management, operations, and community engagement to the position and is primed to continue, and expand upon, the remarkable innovations and achievements executed by the recently retired Executive Director, Cori LaPlant.
Dr. Farrell joins SCRFHC from Katahdin Valley Health Center, a Federally Qualified Health Center in Patten, ME, where he served as Chief Operations Officer (COO). Prior to that, he was their Director of Rehabilitative Services. He also worked as a staff chiropractor at Penobscot Community Health Care, a Federally Qualified Health Center in Bangor, where he successfully developed a new service line in collaboration with senior leadership.
Health care is the family business for Dr. Farrell. His father is a private practice optometrist in Lincoln, ME.
“Growing up in Lincoln and having the opportunity to work with my father and within the local healthcare fabric led to my passion for continuing a lifelong commitment to healthcare in rural communities,” Dr. Farrell said. He earned his MBA in Healthcare Management from Husson University in Bangor, ME, and a Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine from Logan University in Chesterfield, MO.
Federally qualified health centers are often defined as the safety net provider for communities. They are organizations that ensure access to high-quality care in underserved areas. Dr. Farrell understands that mission and embraces it, including the goal of continuing to grow SCRFHC.
“It is my great pleasure to assume the role of Executive Director/CEO at St. Croix,” Dr. Farrell said. “I am committed to providing the region with as many services of the highest possible quality to our valued patients. It’s about eliminating barriers to care and helping people gain access to the services they need in their own communities.”
Under Cori LaPlant’s leadership, SCRFHC built a strong foundation as the cornerstone of healthcare in the region, Dr. Farrell added. He recognized LaPlant’s dedication and vision, which propelled SCRFHC to new heights. He looks forward to building upon this already strong foundation and working collaboratively with the entire SCRFHC staff and community partners.
“This is a wonderful organization made up of exceptional people, and I’m pleased and excited to have the opportunity to lead it into the future and to work with the dedicated team and community partners,” Dr. Farrell said. “I believe our future is bright.”
Dr. Farrell is married with a young daughter and son. His favorite hobby is spending time outside with his family. He has a favorite quote: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” by Lao Tzu, resonates with him because it encapsulates essential principles such as inspiration, persistence, progress, empowerment, and risk management, all of which are integral to effective leadership and achieving success, he said. All principles he will bring to the Executive Director/CEO position.