Sean Patterson
Chief Executive Officer
Portsmouth Regional Hospital
Sean Patterson has been with HCA Healthcare since 2012, and was appointed chief executive officer (CEO) of Portsmouth Regional Hospital in April 2025. He began his healthcare career at the HCA Healthcare corporate headquarters in Nashville, Tenn., where he served as manager of performance improvement.
In 2014, Sean joined TriStar Skyline Medical Center in Nashville as associate chief operating officer, where he managed several departments including imaging services, plant operations, environmental services, laboratory, security and patient transport, and led the expansions of the hospital’s neuro intensive care unit and medical/surgical unit.
He was promoted in 2016 to chief operating officer of TriStar StoneCrest Medical Center, a 119- bed facility in Nashville, where he facilitated the design and construction of a 17-bed ER expansion, and was part of additional expansion projects including an inpatient tower, ambulatory surgery center and medical office building.
As COO of St. Mark’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah, a 308-bed facility, Sean led a growth strategy to establish a larger footprint in the market to address the growing needs of the community. He was instrumental in the development of several construction projects at St. Mark’s Hospital, including a new operating room, electrophysiology lab, medical/surgical unit renovation and the design and construction of a new patient tower which increased capacity for medical/surgical, progressive care and intensive care patients.
Immediately prior to joining Portsmouth Regional Hospital, Sean served as CEO of TriStar NorthCrest Medical Center in Springfield, Tenn., a 109-bed facility acquired by HCA Healthcare in 2021. As CEO, Sean transformed the culture of the facility by re-establishing connections with stakeholders and demonstrating to the community the value of being a part of the HCA Healthcare network of hospitals. He recruited several surgeons, revitalized the patient-centric culture, improving HCAHPS scores, and elevating both physician and employee engagement.
A Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE), Sean holds a Master’s degree in Health Administration and a Bachelor of Science degree s in Biology from the University of Kentucky.
Michelle R. Dodd, PhD, RN, CCRN-K
Chief Nursing Officer
Portsmouth Regional Hospital
Michelle Dodd, PhD, RN, CCRN-K, was named interim chief executive officer (CEO) of Portsmouth Regional Hospital in January 2025, and has served as chief nursing officer (CNO) of Portsmouth Regional Hospital since January 2020.
Prior to her current role, Michelle most recently served as vice president of nursing operations supporting HCA Healthcare’s strategic nursing plan for all 18 hospitals in the company’s Capital Division. Throughout her nursing career, she has held various clinical positions in emergency medicine and critical care. Michelle began her career with HCA Healthcare in 2003.
Michelle received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from George Mason University and completed her Master of Science in Nursing and Ph.D. in Biobehavioral Research at Virginia Commonwealth University. Her doctorate was supported by a competitive NIH: NRSA F31 grant and focused on healthcare acquired infection risk in the ICU. Michelle’s experience in infection prevention plays a significant role in her leadership of the clinical excellence and quality initiatives in nursing practice.
Michelle was the co-founder and president of the Greater Richmond Virginia Chapter of the American Nursing Informatics Association (ANIA) and is certified in critical care.
Michelle’s leadership style is coaching oriented and visionary. She enjoys the challenge of breaking new ground with technology, mentoring, and education, and is deeply involved in the hospital’s nursing education programs with several local colleges, as well as the extended learning opportunities program which is designed to encourage young people to explore careers in healthcare. She also volunteers each holiday season with Wreaths Across America, helping to place wreaths at the gravesites of veterans throughout the U.S. and abroad.
Brian Sanders, MD, MHCM
Chief Medical Officer, Seacoast Market, HCA New England Healthcare
Brian Sanders, MD, MHCM, is the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for the Seacoast Market of HCA New England Healthcare, overseeing clinical performance and practice standards at Portsmouth Regional Hospital and Frisbie Memorial Hospital to ensure superior clinical outcomes and patient experience. He joined Portsmouth Regional Hospital in January 2023, and soon took over duties at Frisbie Memorial Hospital.
Prior to joining HCA Healthcare, Dr. Sanders most recently served as chief of the department of pediatric emergency medicine and chair of the department of pediatrics at Mass General Brigham’s Salem Hospital. He also served as the hospital’s site director for the Boston University Medical Student Program, as medical director for the COVID-19 employee testing clinic and vaccine program, and as site director for the REVISE (Reducing Variability in the Infant Sepsis Evaluation) Study for the American Academy of Pediatrics.
During his career, Dr. Sanders also served as medical director of pediatric emergency medicine at Lowell General Hospital where he helped to develop a pediatric emergency department. He also practiced as a pediatric emergency medicine physician at Children’s Hospital Boston; Children’s Specialty Group in Norfolk, Virginia; and Pediatric Emergency Medicine Associates in Atlanta, Georgia.
Dr. Sanders, a dual board-certified pediatrics and pediatric emergency medicine physician, holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia. He earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia, and completed his residency and fellowship at Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters in Norfolk, Virginia. He also holds a Masters in Healthcare Management from Harvard University Chan School of Public Health.
Dr. Sanders has held academic appointments at Harvard Medical School, Tufts University School of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Eastern Virginia Medical School, and Boston University School of Medicine. His volunteer work includes international travel, treating patients and developing medical clinics in Zambia, India, Ecuador, and Jamaica.
Michelle Ruru
Chief Operating Officer
Portsmouth Regional Hospital
Michelle Ruru is the chief operating officer (COO) of Portsmouth Regional Hospital and has served in this role since August 2023. As COO, Michelle manages the strategic operational priorities and service line growth for Portsmouth Regional Hospital and its affiliates.
Prior to her current role, Michelle most recently served as vice president of operations of Ogden Regional Medical Center, a 238-bed Level II trauma center in Utah. In this role, she was responsible for numerous clinical, ancillary, and facility departments including plant operations, imaging services, laboratory, physical therapy, and other support services; and led and facilitated multiple construction projects totaling $150 million. Michelle held a range of progressively responsible leadership roles at HCA Healthcare’s Cache Valley Hospital in Utah, including ancillary services manager for two years, after which she was promoted to ancillary services director in 2018. Michelle started her career with HCA Healthcare in 2008 as director of hyperbaric medicine and infusion therapy, also at Cache Valley Hospital.
Michelle has served in several leadership positions on nonprofit boards in the communities in which she’s worked, including the YCC Family Crisis Center of Ogden, Utah. The YCC is a resource center dedicated to supporting individuals and families impacted by domestic and sexual violence. Services offered provide safety, shelter, advocacy, and resources for individuals and families. Michelle also worked and partnered with local high schools and colleges to offer students healthcare education and hands-on experience for several different modalities and skill sets in the healthcare field.
Michelle holds both a Bachelor of Science in Business and Healthcare Management and a Master of Business Administration - Healthcare Management from Western Governors University.
Michelle graduated from HCA Healthcare’s executive development program in 2022. She is also a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.