Richard Fernandez

Richard W. Fernandez, MBA, joined BWH in May as senior vice president of Ambulatory Services.

With a keen focus on high-quality, coordinated and accessible care, Fernandez directs the clinical, academic and administrative activities within Ambulatory Services, spanning multiple specialties and Primary Care across the distributed campus. He works with BWH’s ambulatory staff and leadership to improve and enhance patient and referring physician access and drive new initiatives to improve care and the patient experience. He also partners with the departments of Dermatology, Medicine, Psychiatry and Neurology, and supports the Neurosciences and Lung Center service lines.

“Ambulatory Services is a critical component of our patient access, care redesign and patient affordability work and integral to the overall success of BWHC’s strategic plan,” said BWHC President Betsy Nabel, MD. “Rich’s extensive experience, proven leadership and thoughtful vision will allow us to accelerate progress in these key initiatives.”

Fernandez began his career at BWH as a Deland Fellow and project manager for the President’s Office before becoming the administrative director for the Department of Emergency Medicine. After leaving BWH, he remained in the Partners family as a practice administrator for Partners Community Healthcare, Inc. (PCHI), the forerunner to the Partners Community Physicians Organization.

Fernandez most recently served as interim chief administrative officer of Carney Hospital at Steward Health Care’s Hospital Division. Prior to that, he was senior vice president and chief operating officer for Steward Medical Group, Steward Health Care’s 600-member physician organization. Fernandez was also vice president of Ambulatory Operations and Primary Care for Cambridge Health Alliance.

He earned his MBA at Temple University and his BS from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.