Terri Vieira to Retire in Spring of 2022

Date: 12/16/2021

Bangor, Maine (December 15, 2021) — Northern Light Health president and CEO Tim Dentry today announced the pending retirement of Terri Vieira, president of Northern Light Sebasticook Valley and Inland Hospitals, president of Lakewood Continuing Care, and a senior vice president of Northern Light Health. 

Vieira got her start in healthcare in 1973 as a radiology tech and later taught college-level anatomy and radiology. She has worked in various roles at healthcare organizations in Maine and has been with Northern Light Health since 2000. She became president of Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Hospital in 2013, and in 2020, Vieira accepted the position of president of Northern Light Inland Hospital and Lakewood in addition to her duties at SVH. Vieira also served as president of Northern Light CA Dean Hospital from 2017 to 2020.

Vieira has seen many changes in healthcare during her career. She says the COVID-19 pandemic is leaving its mark on the health delivery system overall but notes that, “COVID-19 has brought out strengths in people we always knew existed. And it brought me back to my front-line roots. That has helped me better help those in the thick of it. As individuals and a system, we have shown we are resilient. It is hard, sure, but what is most important is that what we are doing is making a difference, caring for our patients, our communities, and ourselves. And I am both grateful and proud.”

While wishing Vieira all the best in retirement, Dentry said her voice of reason and ability to clearly communicate what others are thinking will be missed. “Terri has a gift of hearing discussion, pausing to reflect, and then summing up the heart of the conversation in a language we can all understand. Many of our Northern Light presidents see her as a leadership role model. I also consider her a friend and upon her retirement wish her great health and fortune.” He added that a successor will be named following an internal search and feedback from the hospital boards. A national candidate search is not planned at this time.

Vieira’s last day with Northern Light Health will be April 1, 2022. April Fool’s Day holds special meaning to Vieira and her two sisters. Her younger sister is also retiring that same day. Her older sister, whose birthday is April 1, is already retired. So, on April Fool’s Day 2022, the three sisters will get together to laugh, tell stories, and celebrate this new beginning for all of them. Vieira and her husband, Dean, will plan to spend as much time on the golf course as possible and enjoy their camp on Branch Lake.