RUMFORD — Former colleagues, dignitaries, members of the medical staff, hospital managers, friends and family gathered in May to honor Rumford Hospital President John Welsh on his retirement after 23 years at the helm of the hospital. Following a social hour and dinner, RH Board President Jolan Ippolito introduced speakers including Steven Michaud, president of the Maine Hospital Association; Peter Chalke, Central Maine Heath Care CEO; and former CMHC CEO Bill Young. The highlight of the evening was the presentation by Maine Congressman Michael Michaud of a plaque bearing the sentiments the congressman had read into the Congressional Record honoring John Welsh.

Upon announcing his retirement earlier this year, Welsh said, “I don’t think there could be a better time than now. Rumford Hospital is in great shape. We have a great medical staff, a nursing staff that can’t be beat and support services staff that go above and beyond every day. One of the advantages of being part of a system is that there are ample resources available to make certain that the transition is a smooth one.”

Welsh and his wife are retiring to a home near the coast where several generations of his family have lived. Welsh will become president of the board of Community Dental, which operates not-for-profit dental clinics at seven sites in Maine, including Rumford. He has recently joined the board of the LifeFlight of Maine Foundation and will begin fundraising for the emergency helicopter service.

Central Maine Healthcare announced that David Frum, the current president of Bridgton Hospital, will become the president of both Rumford and Bridgton Hospital effective July 1.