Former Saint Vincent executive to lead effort to address Mass. nursing shortage

Image | Courtesy of UMass Chan Medical School Jay Prosser, executive director of the Massachusetts Nursing Council on Workforce Sustainability

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By Eric Casey

A face familiar to the Worcester healthcare community has been tasked with tackling the statewide nursing shortage, as Jay Prosser, the former chief nursing officer at Saint Vincent Hospital, has been named as the executive director of the Massachusetts Nursing Council on Workforce Sustainability.

Prosser, who joined the Worcester-based hospital in January 2022 shortly after the end of the 301-day nursing strike at the facility, has more than 20 years of experience working in health care, according to a press release issued on Wednesday by ForHealth Consulting at UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester.

“Jay’s wide range of experiences in the nursing profession will ensure that he is successful in his role of executive director for the Nursing Council on Workforce Sustainability,” Lisa Colombo, executive vice chancellor at ForHealth Consulting, said in the statement. “His perspective will enhance our work with multiple stakeholders to confront pipeline and workforce challenges and develop actionable and innovative solutions that make a difference in Massachusetts.”

A graduate of doctoral nursing practice program at Troy University in Alabama, Prosser’s prior experience includes a stint on the board of directors for the Alabama State Nurses Association.

“We are thrilled about the appointment of Jay Prosser as executive director of the Nursing Council on Workforce Sustainability,” Joanne Marqusee, assistant secretary for operational effectiveness at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services, said in the press release. “Addressing the significant workforce shortages that face the entire health and human services sector across the commonwealth is a priority for [Gov. Maura Healey].”

ForHealth Consulting collaborated with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services and the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development to create the council, which represents more than 70 organizations across Massachusetts with the aim of developing strategies to mitigate the nursing workforce shortage.

Prosser replaces Andrea Bresnahan, who left the role in August, according to her LinkedIn profile. Bresnahan was named executive director of MNCWS in February 2022.