After 14 years as president and chief executive officer of Greater Lawrence Family Health Center (GLFHC), Robert Ingala is stepping down to dedicate more time to family and personal interests. Ingala was formerly associated with the city-owned Hale Hospital.
Ingala served as chief executive officer of Hale Hospital from January, 1997, to January, 2001. Previously, he was the hospital’s chief financial officer, hired in 1992. In his announcement to staff, Ingala looked back on his career at GLFHC with pride and appreciation.
“During my tenure at GLFHC I have been privileged to work with some of the finest individuals of my career. I am so very proud to have been a part of the GLFHC team. The commitment of our board, clinicians, management and staff to achieve our mission each and every day is unparalleled and improves the lives of so many. As I look back over my time at the health center I think about what we have accomplished. GLFHC today is a very different organization than it was 14 years ago, with more comprehensive services; improved access to outstanding care and a national reputation for a stellar residency program. Our clinical outcomes and patient centered care continue to improve and exceed national benchmarks. Financially, GLFHC continues to be one of the best performing health centers in Massachusetts. None of this would be possible without the hard work and dedication of our employees,” according to Ingala.
Charles Zanazzi, interim chair of GLFHC’s board of directors, expressed his sentiment and appreciation following Ingala’s announcement. “Bob was instrumental in leading the Health Center over a long period of growth and constant market change. His dynamic leadership and long term outlook has been critical to our success. The entire Board thanks Bob for his many years of service and his willingness to remain involved in the Health Center until such time as an effective and permanent leadership transition is in place. We congratulate him on this exciting personal step and are fortunate to have benefited from his leadership as both a colleague and friend.”
Later this month, the board of directors will retain the services of a national recruitment firm to find Ingala’s successor. Ingala intends to stay in his current role until a successor is announced. GLFHC is the second largest community health center in Massachusetts, serving more than 54,000 patients. With nearly 600 employees, including 92 physicians, GLFHC is ranked as one of the top 10 employers in Greater Lawrence. GLFHC also serves as the home of the Lawrence Family Medicine Residency, one of the leading programs in the country for training family medicine physicians.