Members of the Montgomery County Board of Elections participate in a press conference on Nov. 5, 2024, after the polls closed on Election Day. Pictured, from left, is Commissioner Tom DiBello, Election Board Chairman Neil Makhija and Vice Chairwoman Jamila Winder. (Rachel Ravina – MediaNews Group)
She is filling the role left vacant by Michael B. Laign, president and CEO of Holy Redeemer Health System, who served as board chair since 2013
The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners announces Barbara Wadsworth, a healthcare executive with 40 years of experience, as chair of the Montgomery County Board of Health. She is filling the role left vacant by Michael B. Laign, president and CEO of Holy Redeemer Health System, who served as board chair since 2013 and will continue to serve as a member of the board.
“Congratulations to Barbara on your prestigious appointment to Chair of the Board of Health,” said Neil K. Makhija, chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. “With an impressive career in public health, and a decade of service to the Board, Barbara brings the strengths of expertise and skilled leadership to guide the Board on the County’s critical health priorities. We are grateful for her commitment to serving, protecting, and promoting the health and well-being of our County’s residents.”
Wadsworth is the executive vice president and chief operating officer of Main Line Health. During her tenure, she is credited with Main Line Health being chosen as one of three healthcare organizations in the tri-state region to receive the Excellence Award from the Mid-Atlantic Alliance for Performance Excellence (MAAPE). Wadsworth has also led innovative systemwide projects focused on improving patient satisfaction and safety practices, along with advancing care coordination and population health.
“I extend my gratitude to Mike Laign for his excellent leadership as Chair of the Board of Health over the years, and congratulate Barbara for stepping into this important role,” said Jamila Winder, vice chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. “I have known Barbara professionally for many years through her exceptional work at Abington and Main Line Health. Barbara is a steadfast advocate for patient safety and a champion for healthcare equity and affordability. I’m excited to continue working together to advance inclusive and sustainable community health practices for the betterment of our communities.”
"The Board of Health serves as an essential advisor to Montgomery County's Department of Health and Human Services Office of Public Health, ensuring programs, activities, and daily operations are serving the needs and well-being of our residents," said Thomas DiBello, Montgomery County commissioner. "I’m confident that Barbara's background in private healthcare systems as well as on our Board of Health will reinforce the County's public health operations with efficacy, readiness, and trust among residents."
Wadsworth earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Health Systems Leadership from Vanderbilt University. She holds a certification as a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives and a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing. Wadsworth is also a 2009 Robert Wood John Executive Nurse Fellow, was inducted as a Fellow into the National Academies of Practice in March 2017 and recently completed the National Baldrige Executive Fellowship.
