NRHN Names Charles Champagne Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer

(Salem, NH – June 2023) – Northeast Rehabilitation Hospital Network is pleased to announce that Charles “Chuck” Champagne has been named Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer. Champagne joined the network in 2012 as the Chief Financial Officer and in 2020 his role expanded to include Chief Operating Officer. John F. Prochilo served as Chief Executive Officer for 37 years and recently retired.

“Chuck is an integral part of Northeast Rehabilitation Hospital Network. He has always embraced the vision of our founders Dr. Howard Gardner and his wife Naomi,” said Mark Taylor, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Northeast Rehabilitation Hospital Network. “This role is a natural progression of his authentic leadership and the significant contributions he has made to our organization over the past 11 years. The Board is excited to continue our wonderful relationship with Chuck. We share a profound appreciation for our past and commitment to our future.”

Champagne has led many successful initiatives for Northeast Rehabilitation Hospital Network, including defining and championing a multi-phase IT plan, creating its Physician Services Corporation, and establishing inter-divisional teams focused on enhancing operations. He serves as a coach and mentor to his teams and is an advocate for professional growth opportunities.

“I am thankful to the Board for having faith in me to lead Northeast Rehab into the future. When I joined the organization 11 years ago as the CFO, I was immediately inspired by the culture and the commitment to care across our Network. The purpose our founders instilled nearly 40 years ago, when we opened our first hospital, will continue to have a strong presence throughout our organization,” said Champagne.

“Helping patients rebuild their lives after a life-changing illness or injury is our collective motivation and I am honored to work with such a dedicated team of individuals. Every day, our patients inspire us, and they inspire each other. We endure together, we challenge each other, and we give hope to each other. Together, our amazing family of employees will continue this proud tradition.”

Prior to joining Northeast Rehab, Chuck served as the Chief Financial officer or Vice President of Finance for multiple rehabilitation hospitals including New England Sinai Hospital and Spaulding Rehabilitation, part of Mass General Brigham. He also held roles in finance at Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Coopers and Lybrand, and the Rehabilitation Hospital of Rhode Island. He currently volunteers as Treasurer of the Board for Krempels Brain Injury Center (KBIC).

Helene Thibodeau Promoted to Chief Operating Officer / Chief Clinical Officer

Helene Thibodeau, DNP, RN, CRRN, NEA-BC, has been promoted to COO/CFO. Thibodeau joined Northeast Rehabilitation Hospital nearly 10 years ago as the Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer. In her role, she will continue to focus on ensuring that NRHN provides exceptional patient care. By collaborating with employees across the network and continuously connecting directly with patients and their loved ones, Thibodeau remains grounded in what is important: quality patient care and a positive work environment.

She was recently awarded the Mary B. Conceison Award for Excellence in Nursing Leaders by the Organization of Nurse Leaders (ONL). This award recognizes the outstanding contributions made by a nursing service administrator. Click here for the full press release about Helene’s appointment and award.

Prior to joining Northeast Rehabilitation Hospital Network, Thibodeau was the Vice President of Quality and Patient Safety at Saints Medical Center and Vice President Outpatient Services at Lowell General Hospital, both in Lowell, MA. She has also held adjunct nursing faculty positions at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell (MA), Rivier University (Nashua, NH) and Northern Essex Community College (Haverhill, MA).

Champagne and Thibodeau led the network’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, the Network’s acute rehabilitation hospital in Salem became one of the first acute rehabilitation hospitals in the country to open a COVID unit, providing support and relief to area hospitals as they faced historic patient volume challenges. Champagne and Thibodeau have worked closely together during their time at Northeast Rehab and will continue to do so in their new roles.

Team to Dedicate Therapeutic Garden to John F. Prochilo

As a tribute to John Prochilo’s years of service, the Board, along with Chuck and the Executive Leadership Team, announced plans to create the John F. Prochilo Therapeutic Garden at the Salem, New Hampshire hospital location. “John’s focus was always on our patients and our employees. We are grateful to him and his family for having such a profound impact on the organization,” said Taylor. “The garden will provide a comforting environment for patients and their families to experience during their rehabilitation journey,” added Chuck. Anticipated completion of the garden is spring 2024 and a special dedication celebration will include John and his family.

 

About Northeast Rehabilitation Hospital Network
Rebuilding lives with hope, compassion and dedication to excellence.
Since 1984, Northeast Rehabilitation Hospital Network has been providing highly specialized, comprehensive rehabilitation care to help individuals affected by life-changing injuries and illnesses rebuild their lives. Northeast Rehabilitation Hospital Network was founded by Howard M. Gardner, M.D. and his wife Naomi in 1984 when its flagship location and first hospital opened in Salem, NH. Having served in the military, Gardner saw the essential need for and the profound benefit of providing a setting where individuals could receive specialized rehabilitation care. Today, the Network employs more than 1200 employees and includes four hospitals located in Salem, Portsmouth, Manchester and Nashua, NH; more than 20 outpatient clinics; an outpatient pediatric division; sports medicine services; and pain management services. All four of our acute rehabilitation hospitals are accredited by The Joint Commission and have also earned Disease-Specific Care Certification for brain injury, stroke and amputee rehabilitation. For more information about Northeast Rehabilitation Hospital Network, visit www.northeastrehab.com.