Lifespan Welcomes New President Of Rhode Island Hospital

PROVIDENCE, RI — Lifespan announced on Monday that Dr. Saul N. Weingart has become the new president of Rhode Island Hospital and Hasbro Children's Hospital.

Weingart has 25 years of experience in medicine and health care administration, said a Lifespan news release. He most recently served as Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs for Tufts Medical Center and Tufts Children’s Hospital. Weingart also taught at Tufts University School of Medicine.

“Dr. Weingart’s experience and record of accomplishments at top-notch health care institutions is a tremendous asset to Lifespan as we look to further elevate Rhode Island Hospital’s national profile as a leading academic medical center,” said Lifespan President and CEO Timothy Babineau in a statement. “Dr. Weingart is joining Lifespan at a pivotal time for health care in Rhode Island and nationally, and I am very pleased to welcome him into this vital leadership role.”

During his time at Tufts, Weingart led the hospital's COVID-19 response, managed internal matters, and oversaw the expansion of programs related to specialty pharmaceuticals, palliative care, and psychiatric addiction while continuing to see patients and mentor students and other faculty members.

“We are very fortunate to have someone with this wealth of experience and expertise joining the team,” said Lifespan Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Todd Conklin in a statement. “There are still multiple challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic, but the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine is offering a ray of hope, and I welcome Dr. Weingart’s leadership as Lifespan focuses on delivering health with care in the post-COVID years to come.”

Prior to his time at Tufts, Weingart served as the Vice President for Quality and Patient Safety at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, was a board member at MIT Medical, and held several board positions at the National Patient Safety Foundation, said the news release. He has been invited to lecture internationally and received academic appointments throughout his career.

“I look forward to joining Lifespan, Rhode Island Hospital, and Hasbro Children’s, and to working with outstanding staff and clinicians,” said Weingart in a statement. “Rhode Island Hospital’s commitment to compassionate, world-class care is evident, perhaps never more so than in this past year. I feel privileged to join this extraordinary team.”