Darin Roark Named New President of Wentworth-Douglass Hospital

Mass General Brigham named Darin C. Roark, an executive with more than 23 years of health care experience, as its newest president and COO of Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover effective July 24.

Roark currently serves in a dual role as hospital president of Baptist Medical Center Clay in Fleming Island, Fla. and as system vice president of ambulatory campuses and emergency services for Baptist Health, a nonprofit health system headquartered in Jacksonville. He led the emergency department service line through a rise in tens of thousands of annual visits, while overseeing the addition of three new satellite ERs and an inpatient bed tower.

 “Darin’s commitment to community health, and his dedication to serving patients, are central to his leadership approach. He recognizes the importance of building strong relationships with medical staff, employees, and community stakeholders to ensure the community has access to exceptional health care,” says Dr. David Roberts, president and COO of Mass General Brigham Medical Group. “He will be an excellent addition to Wentworth-Douglass and the surrounding community.”

Roark previously served as vice president of Baptist’s oncology service line and administrator of the emergency service line. He also worked as director of director of emergency services at Orange Park Medical Center and held leadership and nursing positions in Illinois and Wisconsin. 

"I am deeply honored and excited to join an organization with such a strong reputation for providing outstanding healthcare services, and I am committed to building on that legacy,” says Roark. “I look forward to working closely with the talented team at Wentworth-Douglass as they continue to deliver high-quality care, improve patient outcomes, and strengthen our bonds with the Seacoast community."

Roark will succeed President and COO Jeff Hughes, who has led the hospital since 2020. Hughes announced his retirement in March and will continue to serve in a consultant role during the transition.

“Jeff was instrumental in bringing Wentworth-Douglass into the Mass General Brigham system back in 2017, and has remained at the forefront of our integration efforts ever since,” says said Dr. Gregg Meyer, president of Mass General Brigham’s community division. 

Roark has a bachelor of arts in business marketing from North Central College and a bachor of science in nursing from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He also has a masters of business administraion from Northern Illinois University and is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Roarke, his wife Natasha, and their three children will be relocating to the Seacoast area.