Melinda Upton

Melinda Upton, MS, will join BWHC as vice president of Network Development on Jan. 23.

Upton will lead BWHC’s network development strategies by strengthening current partnerships and developing new relationships with health care systems, other hospitals and medical groups. In collaboration with leaders in Partners HealthCare, she will represent the Brigham in the development of Partners’ network strategic planning.

“Both of my children were born here, so I have seen firsthand the expertise and dedication of the talented staff at BWH,” Upton said. “I am excited to be part of the team and to collaborate with colleagues within BWHC and Partners HealthCare, as well as with our external partners to increase access to high-quality care and support their strategic needs.”

Upton joins BWHC from MetroWest Medical Center, where she was chief growth officer. There, she executed strategies to launch clinical programs, strengthen relationships with community physicians and hospitals, and partner with academic medical centers. She led the process to form a strategic alliance between the hospital and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

Prior to her work at MetroWest, Upton was senior director for Surgery, Neurosurgery and Hospital Medicine at UMass Memorial Medical Center; before that, she was vice president of Business Development at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center.

“I am confident that Melinda’s customer service focus and collaborative approach, along with her communication and analytic skills, will be instrumental in achieving our network development strategies with internal and external partners,” said BWPO President Allen Smith, MD, MS.