Gabarro succeeds James Cassidy, CEO of St. Mary's Regional Medical Center in Lewiston. Cassidy will continue to serve on the MHA Board as Immediate Past Chair.

The MHA represents 38 acute care and specialty hospitals, is a leader in developing healthcare policy and works to stimulate public debate on important healthcare issues that affect all of Maine's citizens. The association's mission is to provide leadership through advocacy, information and education to support its members in improving the health of the patients and communities they serve.

Gabarro has been Chief Executive Officer of Mayo Regional Hospital in Dover-Foxcroft since 1997. Before that he was CEO at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover, N.H., from 1989-1996, and was chief operating officer of Charter Brookside Behavioral Health System in Nashua, N.H. He started his healthcare career at Penobscot Valley Hospital in Lincoln, served as administrator of C.A. Dean Hospital in Greenville and later was vice president of operations at the former Mid-Maine Medical Center in Waterville.

While at Mayo, Gabarro guided a comprehensive, $8 million expansion and renovation project that resulted in completion of three new wings at the hospital. Programs and services have also been extended under his tenure, as has Mayo's network of physician practices.

Mainebiz, a statewide bi-weekly business publication, recognized Gabarro as its Maine Business Leader of the Year for 2002.