Northfield Hospital & Clinics Announces New CEO

Northfield Hospital and Clinics (NH&C) announced in a statement yesterday that Zander Abbott has been named its new president and CEO. Abbott is replacing retiring CEO Steve Underdahl, who has spent the last 11 years with NH&C. 

Abbott comes to Northfield from the MaineHealth System in Portland, Maine, where he has been an administrator for 11 years, most recently as Vice President of Service Line Operations for the past eight years. He is currently responsible for MaineHealth’s 109-bed Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital, as well as the Women’s Health and Children’s Health service lines across MaineHealth. Abbott also works closely with MaineHealth’s eight community hospitals. 

NH+C’s board was impressed with Abbott’s communication and relationship-building skills, his ability to work effectively with medical staff and with board members, and his ability to contribute as a community leader. The hospital’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jeff Meland, who was on the search committee, stated, “Zander is a great fit for NH+C. He understands the value of an independent organization that provides community-focused care.”

In the statement, Abbott stated he is excited to work in Northfield and return to the town he grew up in: “I’m excited to join this talented team that’s providing excellent care to the community,” Zander says. “The caliber of talent in the clinical and leadership teams is impressive.  Every care team member I met during my visits was professional, welcoming, and knowledgeable….. Northfield is a special place. I’m eager to embed in the community and help NH+C keep providing excellent care.”