Yale New Haven Health CEO O'Connor steps down; acting CEO named

June 29, 2026 - 20:15

Pam Sutton Wallace has been named acting chief executive officer of Yale New Haven Health, taking over the role effective immediately. The health system announced the leadership change without providing specific reasons for O'Connor's departure, though officials described the transition as a planned move to allow for new direction.

O'Connor had served as CEO since 2020, guiding the network through the COVID-19 pandemic and overseeing major expansion projects, including the integration of three Connecticut hospitals into the system. His tenure also saw financial pressures tied to rising labor costs and insurance reimbursement challenges, common across the healthcare industry.

Sutton Wallace, a longtime executive within the Yale New Haven system, previously held senior operational roles, including president of the health system's Bridgeport Hospital. She is expected to maintain continuity while the board conducts a search for a permanent CEO. In a brief statement, the health system expressed confidence in her ability to lead during the transition.

The change comes at a time when large hospital networks face ongoing scrutiny over pricing, staffing shortages, and the financial sustainability of nonprofit healthcare. Yale New Haven Health operates five hospitals and dozens of outpatient centers across Connecticut and Rhode Island, employing roughly 30,000 people. The board has not set a timeline for naming a permanent successor.