Dr. Thomas Koobatian has been named a top 60 rural hospital CEO to know in 2020 by Becker’s Hospital Review (Becker’s). Becker’s selected leaders across the United States who are making a positive impact on their organizations, and who are managing hospitals consistently recognized by top governing institutions, such as the American Hospital Association, National Rural Health Association, and The Leapfrog Group.
Dr. Koobatian is the executive director and chief of staff at Nuvance Health’s New Milford Hospital. Dr. Koobatian has served as New Milford Hospital’s chief of staff since 2012, adding the role of executive director to his responsibilities in 2014. As a board certified emergency medicine physician, Dr. Koobatian previously served as the hospital’s director of emergency medicine for 18 years.
Becker’s selection criteria also included a review of who serves on local chamber of commerce boards and state hospital associations, and who has presided over expansion and strategic change within their organizations.
In addition to his administrative and clinical duties, Dr. Koobatian holds leadership roles on the Connecticut Hospital Association’s Government Relations Committee, the New Milford Emergency Management Committee; and, the New Milford Community Care Team, which helps people in the community who frequently use the emergency department for chronic medical, mental health, and psychosocial issues and connects them to appropriate, community-based support, including housing.
Dr. Koobatian was integral to the successful merging together of Danbury, New Milford, and Norwalk hospitals in 2014 to expand Western Connecticut Health Network; and, most recently, the merger that created Nuvance Health, a new seven-hospital health system spanning Connecticut and New York.
“This incredible honor that has been bestowed on Dr. Koobatian exemplifies all that he does for New Milford Hospital and the community,” said Spencer Houldin, chair of the Danbury and New Milford Hospitals Board of Directors. “Dr. Koobatian has become an institution at New Milford Hospital and a constant in a sea of change. He is also well-known by nearly everyone in the community because of his involvement and positive presence.”
Under Dr. Koobatian’s leadership, New Milford Hospital recently received a “Best of the Best” award from The Corporation for New Milford Economic Development for contributing to economic development and talent attraction in New Milford. The award aligns to the mission of the Corporation to promote the economic well-being and improve the quality of life for all residents.
Dr. Koobatian has also championed initiatives that set New Milford Hospital apart from other Connecticut hospitals, such as the Plow to Plate program, which provides meals that are freshly prepared with locally sourced, organic ingredients to patients and visitors.