Haverhill, MA (July 19, 2023) – After more than two decades at Northern Essex Community College, Kathy Welch Hudson has a new role. She was selected as the new Dean of Health Professions earlier this summer and officially took on the position this month.

Kathy Welch Hudson named the new Dean of Health Professions

Hudson has served in the interim role since August 2022. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Northeastern University and a Master of Science in Human Service Administration:  Gerontology from Springfield College. Hudson began at Northern Essex as the director of the Medical Assistant Certificate Program and then, served as professor, and department chair of the Healthcare Technology and Ambulatory Services programs.

“As a faculty member of the NECC Health Professions division for almost 20 years, I have worked with students and colleagues alike to ensure that the needs of our healthcare programs aligned with the needs of the rapidly changing healthcare landscape in our community,” said Hudson. “Now, as Dean of Health Professions, I look forward to guiding our health programs within our institution and working with external partners, healthcare organizations, and elected representatives to see that our health programs can build on the foundation and legacy that every graduate has worked to create.”

Before her collegiate work, Hudson worked for 15 years at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, where among many other duties, she oversaw day-to-day operations in surgical and ambulatory units; recruited, trained, and supervised staff; and represented Patient Care Services on center-wide task forces related to patient safety and care.

Hudson has served on the college-wide Student Affairs Committee, engaged in curriculum review and assessment, and completed several grant applications to benefit faculty and students in the division.  She was a member of the iHealth@NECC implementation team, coordinated COVID vaccination clinics within the city of Lawrence, and expanded service learning opportunities into the Medical Assistant program.  Currently, Hudson serves on the healthcare advisory boards of Greater Lawrence Vocational Technical, Haverhill, Lawrence, and Whittier Regional high schools.  In addition, her community involvement includes a nine-year term on the Stoneham Council on the Aging and ten years on both the Stoneham Youth Softball Association and the Stoneham High School Booster Club.

Hudson was awarded the NECC Student Government Association Golden Lamp Award in 2022; the NISOD Excellence in Teaching Award in 2010; and the Gold Circle Partnership Award from the New Hampshire Partners in Education in 2008.

In her role as Interim Dean, she was instrumental in helping the college to obtain a $300,000 grant from Achieving the Dream and the Braveheart Foundation and has worked on Early College Pathways for healthcare careers.

Hudson officially began her permanent role as dean on July 1.

For more information on Health Professions at Northern Essex, visit the webpage.