CT hospital names new CEO and two executive team members

Hartford Courant – Monday, August 10, 2026

The Hospital for Special Care has named a new CEO along with two other executive team members.

Robert Moses Vargas is the new president and CEO, effective today. Jennifer Farley was named COO and Paula Doyle was named chief nursing officer, according to the hospital.

Vargas succeeds interim president and CEO Lynn Ricci. He was most recently the Hospital for Special Care’s chief legal officer and vice president of government affairs.

“Ricci will remain with the organization until Sept. 15 to ensure a smooth leadership transition,” according to a statement.

“The selection of Moses, Jen and Paula for these key management roles reflects the strength of leadership and depth of talent within Hospital for Special Care,” said Board Chair Brian Tevnan. “By promoting from within, we create stability for our dedicated teams, ensure continuity of our culture, and remain committed to the execution of our current strategic plan. Each of these three leaders brings complementary strengths to grow our nationally recognized rehabilitation, autism, and neuromuscular programs, and expand access to care to more patients with complex health needs.”

“These leadership appointments come as Hospital for Special Care marks 85 years of innovation, advocacy, and commitment to patients who have exceedingly limited options for essential care and support. Since its inception in 1941, Hospital for Special Care has worked together with the state of Connecticut to create much needed services for patients with complex healthcare needs – services that would not otherwise be available to residents in Connecticut, and beyond,” according to a statement.

Vargas has over 11 years of executive leadership experience in healthcare, according to the hospital. “Since joining HFSC as Chief Legal Officer nearly six months ago, he has developed a strong understanding of the organization’s mission, operations, and strategic priorities while building relationships across the enterprise. This experience enables him to bring both institutional knowledge and an objective perspective to advancing HFSC’s long-term goals.”

He was previously senior vice president and chief legal officer at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. Vargas holds a bachelor’s degree, Master of Social Work, and Master of Business Administration from the University of Utah, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Connecticut School of Law, according to a statement.

Farley joined the Hospital for Special Care in 2015 as vice president of quality and patient safety officer. She most recently served as the chief quality officer and vice president of organizational excellence. Farley is board certified as a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives since 2023, and holds a Bachelor of Science with a minor in Business Administration, as well as a Master of Business Administration, both from the University of Hartford, according to a statement.

Doyle joined the Hospital for Special Care in 2022 and has served as director of nursing operations and interim chief nursing officer since April 2026. Doyle earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Saint Joseph College, a Master of Public Health from Southern Connecticut State University, and Doctor of Nursing Practice from Sacred Heart University, according to a statement.

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