Marshall Miles Interviews Dr. Mark Hirko and Christina McCulloch, Current Chief Nursing Officer and Incoming President

As part of its continued investment in the region, Nuvance Health has appointed Christina McCulloch, MBA, BSN, RN, as President of Sharon Hospital. McCulloch has worked at Sharon Hospital for more than eight years, most recently serving as Chief Nursing Officer since 2018, and will begin her new role in the coming weeks. McCulloch will work closely with current President Dr. Mark Hirko, MD, FACS, who will remain part of the leadership team in an advisory role as he transitions his focus and expertise to serve as the full-time President of Putnam Hospital.

“I am deeply thankful for this opportunity to lead Sharon Hospital’s incredible team as we continue to provide five-star care to our region,” McCulloch said. “My career as both a registered nurse and as a clinical leader at Sharon Hospital has shown me how truly special our community is. I look forward to working closely with Sharon Hospital’s community board, our local clinical and physician leaders, and the Nuvance Health leadership team to ensure our hospital’s strength into the future.”

This announcement is part of Nuvance Health’s strategy to adapt its leadership structure to continue meeting the changing needs of the healthcare landscape in western Connecticut and the Hudson Valley. This transition is Nuvance Health’s latest investment in Sharon Hospital’s future and ensures it will have a dedicated, unique full-time leadership team.

“We are re-affirming our commitment to the communities we serve by appointing a unique leadership team at each of our hospitals,” said Dr. John Murphy, MD, President and CEO of Nuvance Health. “Christina’s extensive educational background, deep experience as a clinician and time as a trusted leader rising through the ranks at Sharon Hospital have proven her unyielding commitment to high-quality, compassionate patient care. We know Christina is the right candidate to lead the hospital at this pivotal moment in healthcare.”

McCulloch will continue partnering with Dr. Hirko to oversee Sharon Hospital’s growth-based transformation, focused on ensuring the hospital remains sustainable and vibrant within the community amid a challenging healthcare landscape. She has played a central role in the transformation from its earliest planning stages, providing insight based on her strong relationship with Sharon Hospital’s staff and community.

McCulloch has been a clinician for nearly 20 years and a leader at Sharon Hospital since 2014, serving as Director of Nursing, Director of Quality and Performance Improvement, and Chief Quality Officer. She previously worked at St. Mary’s Hospital and Griffin Hospital, where she began her career at the bedside as a staff nurse. She has a Master of Business Administration degree in Healthcare Management from Quinnipiac University, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Western Connecticut State University, and an Associate Degree in Nursing from St. Vincent’s College.