Lawrence, Massachusetts, United States, April 2026 – Merrimack Health has announced the appointment of Visael Rodriguez as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), strengthening its leadership team as the organization advances its mission of delivering high-quality, equitable healthcare across the Merrimack Valley.
In this role, Rodriguez will lead the organization’s human resources strategy, focusing on workforce planning, talent development, employee engagement, and organizational effectiveness. His mandate will be central to building a diverse, high-performing workforce aligned with Merrimack Health’s long-term growth and patient care objectives.
Rodriguez brings over two decades of experience in human resources leadership across large healthcare systems. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Human Resources, Culture, Belonging & Community Impact at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. He has also held senior HR leadership roles at Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island and Baystate Health, where he led initiatives spanning workforce strategy, culture transformation, and employee engagement.
“I am honored to join the Merrimack Health team to support and advance its integration journey as a system,” said Rodriguez. “Building an equitable workplace where every employee feels seen, supported, and empowered is what drives me.”
Merrimack Health leadership expressed confidence that Rodriguez’s expertise in building people-first cultures and aligning workforce strategies with organizational goals will play a critical role in strengthening its employee value proposition and healthcare delivery model.
About Merrimack Health
Merrimack Health is the region’s first integrated healthcare system serving communities across Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire. With hospitals in Lawrence, Haverhill, and Methuen, along with a network of community-based physician practices, the organization is recognized for excellence in heart care, stroke treatment, maternal and child health, orthopedics, and emergency services.
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