As CEO, Cathy Barr is responsible for Bethesda's wide array of integrated programs. With a background in nursing, she knows the difference compassionate care can make to a patient's recovery.
Barr holds a master of business administration degree from the University of St. Thomas, as well as a bachelor of science in nursing from Niagara University in New York.
Among her top priorities, Barr is working on legislative reform to help long-term acute care hospitals (LTACHs) establish new facility and medical requirements. She has also opened discussions on how a facility such as Bethesda can help veterans returning from Iraq suffering from traumatic brain injuries when military and VA hospitals are full.
Before becoming CEO at Bethesda, Barr held executive positions at HealthEast as Vice President for Community Based Services and Home Care Senior Director. In those positions she provided guidance in creating programs that help patients manage chronic diseases. She also worked extensively to help local health care professional organizations develop legislative priorities that positively impact patient quality outcomes.
Barr is a member of the Community Health Charities Board, the American Hospital Association Governing Council (focused on post-acute care issues) and immediate past president of the Women's Health Leadership Trust which is dedicated toward the advancement of women leaders in health care through educational programming, networking and professional development. In October 2012, Barr was interviewed as one of nine top women health care leaders for Becker's Hospital Review.
