Care New England Health System

06/01/2026

In a recent The Boston Globe commentary, Care New England President and CEO Dr. Michael Wagner discusses why establishing a public medical school at the University of Rhode Island could be a critical step toward strengthening the state's physician workforce pipeline and improving access to care for future generations.

By training more physicians in Rhode Island, we can help build a stronger, more sustainable healthcare system for the communities we serve. Read the full commentary:

If we are serious about addressing the primary care shortage, we must create a system that supports physicians to train in R.I. and stay here, Care New England Health System CEO writes.

05/30/2026

Care New England’s President and CEO, Dr. Michael Wagner, joined Brown University Health's President and CEO, John Fernandez, on WPRI 12's Newsmakers to discuss the urgent need for Medicaid funding and what that investment could mean for the future of health care in Rhode Island.

The conversation highlighted the challenges facing health care systems across the state and the importance of sustainable support to protect access to high-quality care for our community.

Watch the full segment: https://hubs.ly/Q04jrhfL0

05/25/2026

Last week, Care New England and Kent Hospital’s DEI Council volunteered with Operation Stand Down Rhode Island to help set up the Boots on the Ground Heroes Memorial at Fort Adams.

This impactful display honors our brave service members and the sacrifices they have made. This Memorial Day, we are grateful for the opportunity to pay tribute to those who have served our country.

05/21/2026

We’re honored to have hosted the Southern New England Heart Walk torch for the past two weeks.

Our Care New England team is stepping up for heart health — taking on challenges, raising funds, and making every step count.

Our Torch Journey stop may have come to an end, but there’s still time to support the lifesaving work of the American Heart Association - Rhode Island. Donate to help us reach our goal of $35,000 at https://hubs.ly/Q04hvF4r0

We hope to see you at the Southern New England Heart Walk on June 13th.

05/19/2026

Care New England employees volunteered with Save The Bay - Narragansett Bay in celebration of their Earth Day event at Oakland Beach. During this experience, the group learned about Save The Bay’s mission to protect and improve Narragansett Bay—working toward a future where it is fully swimmable, fishable, and accessible to all.

Save The Bay regularly hosts beach cleanups to help maintain clean, safe shorelines. At this event, our team joined more than 30 volunteers and collectively removed 145 pounds of trash from the beach.

05/15/2026

Care New England leaders and physicians joined healthcare partners from across Rhode Island at the State House for Health Care Day.

Together, they met with lawmakers to highlight the importance of continued support for hospitals, healthcare workers, and access to care for communities across the state.

During National Hospital Week and beyond, we’re grateful for the people and partnerships that help keep Rhode Islanders healthy every day.

05/14/2026

We're proud to share that Rhode Island Monthly has named 29 Care New England physicians to its “Top Doctors of 2026” list.

This annual recognition is especially meaningful because local physicians vote for the Rhode Island providers across a range of specialties whom they would trust to care for their own family and friends.

Congratulations to all our Top Doctors for this well-deserved honor. See the full list here: https://hubs.ly/Q04gcNj10

04/30/2026

Get to know one of the newest leaders on our surgical team, Dr. Rachel Beard, Chief of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery. She specializes in complex liver, pancreas, and bile duct conditions, working alongside a multidisciplinary team to guide patients through every step.

Dr. Beard and her team at Care New England and Kent Hospital focus on personalized care so patients can make informed decisions with confidence. Learn more: https://hubs.ly/Q04dyfD20

04/23/2026

Meet the newest addition to our surgical team, Dr. Travis Cotton, Chief of Endocrine Surgery at Care New England.

As a fellowship-trained endocrine surgeon, he has helped patients navigate thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal conditions in Rhode Island for more than a decade.

Dr. Cotton and his team at Care New England and Kent Hospital provide expert, comprehensive treatment close to home. Learn more: https://hubs.ly/Q04dctQ70

04/14/2026

On March 28, Care New England volunteers supported Feed RI’s Hope Market, a vital community resource helping Rhode Island families access affordable, nutritious food.

The Hope Market offers groceries at below-market prices through donations from retail food partners and is open to anyone looking to stretch their weekly budget.

Our volunteers helped 224 shoppers — finding food items, loading shopping bags into cars, and retrieving carts—while also connecting with community members and meeting colleagues from across the health system.

Learn more about FeedRI’s Hope Market: https://hubs.ly/Q04bqmDZ0