After six successful years at the helm, Kendell R. Sprott, MD, JD, is retiring as President and CEO of Matheny School and Hospital
effective March 26, 2021. Matheny is a special hospital and educational facility for children and adults with medically complex developmental disabilities.
He announced his plan to retire to the Board of Trustees and Matheny’s employees toward the end of 2020. Dr. Sprott ends his career at Matheny during one of the most challenging times any organization has ever faced – the COVID-19 pandemic. Under his leadership, the organization survived the pandemic and most importantly, its vulnerable patients and students are doing well. He credits those feats to the frontline healthcare workers at Matheny.
In a message to Matheny’s employees, Dr. Sprott said, “These past six years at Matheny have been some of the most rewarding and fulfilling of my career. Matheny introduced me to you, some of the kindest and most selfless people I know. I will especially miss our patients. They put a smile on my face each time I walk the halls to say hello. It brings me comfort to know that our patients will always be in good hands. After 44 years as a pediatrician, I will now dedicate the upcoming years to my wife, my children, and especially my precious grandchildren. I currently have two young grandchildren with one on the way!”
When Dr. Sprott started working at Matheny in 2014, he encountered many difficulties that he and his leadership team would eventually overcome. Some of those accomplishments include: significantly improving Matheny’s financial health; two successful Joint Commission accreditations; a positive legal resolution with the town of Peapack after litigation that began many years prior to his arrival; the formation of a strategic alliance agreement with RWJ/Barnabas Health signed in August 2020 where both organizations share expertise and resources to expand care for people with Intellectual and Developmental disabilities; and the expansion of Matheny’s group homes with two new adult group homes to be built this year in Far Hills.
In a letter to the Board of Trustees, Dr. Sprott stated, “Thank you for all of the support you have given me to make changes and take certain risks in moving the organization forward.”
William A. Krais, Esq, President of the Board of Trustees said, “Dr. Sprott is a staunch advocate for children and people with disabilities. The innovative strategies and valuable partnerships Dr. Sprott established have positioned Matheny for a bright and prosperous future.” Mr. Krais added, “On behalf of the board of trustees, we wish him and his family the very best and know they will thoroughly enjoy this new chapter in their lives.”
Matheny’s new President and CEO, Bill Kent, will officially begin his post on March 29, 2021. Mr. Kent was President of Lehigh Valley Hospital for five years. Dr. Sprott communicated the news to Matheny’s employees in February and said, “Your new President and CEO will be Bill Kent…He is a stellar leader who is compassionate and kind. He has extensive experience in the healthcare field working in large, prestigious hospital systems. I am confident that Matheny will grow and thrive under his leadership. Please join me in welcoming Mr. Kent to the Matheny family.”
