New London — The incoming new president and chief executive officer of Lawrence + Memorial Healthcare said Thursday that his approach to leadership is to "turn the organizational chart upside down."

"Part of my schedule every day is intentional rounding, getting out and talking to our staff, our patients and our families," said Patrick L. Green, the executive vice president and chief administrative officer of St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood, Colo., who will become the new head of L+M on June 5. "I don't make decisions in isolation. Collaboration is a cornerstone of my leadership style, and I intend to double down on that" in his new role at L+M.

Green, 43, was chosen after a national search to head L+M Healthcare, which includes Lawrence + Memorial Hospital, The Westerly Hospital, the Visiting Nurse Association of Southeastern Connecticut and the L+M Cancer Center, as well as other satellite facilities. He also will hold the title of executive vice president of Yale New Haven Health, the larger network L+M joined last year.

Green will replace Bruce Cummings, who announced in January that he would retire after 11 years at L+M, earning a salary of $761,873. Green's salary was not available on Thursday afternoon.

In a phone interview, Green said he was attracted to the position by the strong sense of commitment to the community in the Yale New Haven network, and the chance to shepherd improvements in the health of southeastern Connecticut through partnerships between L+M and the community. He has spent his entire career working in health care, a field he said he was drawn to as an expression of his desire to serve others. At L+M, he said, he will "put the patients first and lead with my core values."

"I plan to be deeply embedded in the community, very visible and very accessible," Green said. "I'm very excited about coming to that community and seeing what we can do together to take (L+M) to the next level."

Green began at St. Anthony Hospital in 2012 as chief operating officer. The hospital is part of Centura Health, the largest health system in Colorado, with 17 hospitals and multiple satellite facilities.

At St. Anthony, Green was instrumental in fostering growth and strengthening it financially, according to the news release from L+M. In his current job, he is responsible for strategic and daily planning, as well as operation oversight of systems of care including oncology, neurosciences, and heart and vascular programs.

"We are delighted to attract someone with Patrick's talent as the new president of Lawrence + Memorial," said Marna Borgstrom, chief executive officer of Yale New Haven Health and Yale New Haven Hospital. "He brings a wealth of experience running organizations within complex health systems. As we continue to develop the recent affiliation of L+M with Yale New Haven Health, Patrick will play a critical role through his hospital and health system responsibilities."

Alan Hunter, chairman of the L+M Healthcare board of trustees, said a strong list of candidates applied for the position.

"We are pleased to welcome Patrick to our organization and believe that he will bring the type of exceptional leadership that these uncertain times demand," Hunter said.

Green has more than 19 years of experience leading nonprofit health systems and academic medical centers, and has a successful track record of community involvement and building relationships with physicians, the news release said. He is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. He earned a bachelor's degree from Langston University in Langston, Okla., and a master's degree in business administration from the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond. He and his wife, LaNece, are parents of a 10-year-old son, Peyton.

j.benson@theday.com