Lucretia Stargell is the new president of Bridgton Hospital and Rumford Hospital. She assumes the president’s role on March 29, taking over the helm from Steve Littleson.

Central Maine Healthcare announced the move Monday. Stargell is also the new senior vice president of CMH.

Stargell brings years of experience in executive-level hospital administration, most notably in leadership positions at rural hospitals and a critical access hospital in North Carolina with Duke LifePoint Healthcare. In these roles, she introduced new service lines and expanded healthcare access to rural parts of that state. She also has extensive experience in strategy, marketing, communications, community partnerships, recruitment and foundation work.

Stargell holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Western Carolina University and a B.A. in Art History and Communications from Hollins University in Virginia. She is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) and is a certified professional in-patient safety from the Institute of Healthcare improvement. 

“The Bridgton community drew me in immediately,” Stargell said. “It is remarkably similar to where I have spent most of my professional career and raised my family. I am looking forward to a leadership role with Central Maine Healthcare and being a familiar face in Bridgton, working in partnership with team members and local leaders.”

“What a joy it is to introduce Lucretia Stargell and her family to our Bridgton community,” said Marney Chalmers, Central Maine Healthcare Board of Directors. “Lucretia understands how vitally important it is to keep healthcare ‘close to home,’ and will be a wonderful addition to our hospital. I look forward to the leadership, care and innovation she will bring to our beautiful town of Bridgton.”

For nearly four months, Steve Littleson, president and CEO of Central Maine Healthcare, served as interim president of these two critical access hospitals following the resignation of Peter Wright.

“I have greatly valued and enjoyed my time serving as interim president for Bridgton and Rumford Hospitals. My time there left me a stronger leader for the health system as I saw firsthand the very unique challenges of rural healthcare. Lucretia’s background is perfectly tailored for rural Maine and I am very pleased to pass the baton to this well-seasoned leader,” said Littleson.