A year after Concord Hospital bought Lakes Region General Healthcare, the head of the Franklin and Laconia hospitals has announced his departure, effective at the end of the month.

Kevin Donovan was the president and CEO of Lakes Regional General Hospital since 2016, overseeing two hospital locations that struggled with a crippling amount of debt. LRGH declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2020 due largely to the costs associated with some $128 million in debt, allowing Concord Hospital to purchase the healthcare system for $30 million.

“I leave knowing the communities will be well-served by the Concord Hospital health system,” he said in a statement

Since that purchase in 2021, Donovan has served as Chief Administrative Officer for Concord Hospital- Franklin and Concord Hospital-Laconia. He will stay on with the hospital until the end of March, while they search for a replacement. Concord Hospital has also appointed an interim Chief Administrative Officer for Laconia and Franklin to help during the transition period.

After leaving Concord Hospital, he will “pursue other professional opportunities,” according to a press release from the hospital.

Throughout the ownership transition, more than 1,300 employees have kept their jobs. In an interview with the Monitor, Donovan said an “extremely high percentage” of staff have stayed with the new ownership.

“Kevin has been instrumental in assuring that affordable, accessible and quality health care will be available for the region today and for years to come,” Concord Hospital CEO and President Robert Steigmeyer said in a statement.

As CEO of LRGH, Donovan was paid $511,991 in 2019, the most recent year records were available, according to the nonprofit’s public filing with the IRS.

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