FALL RIVER, NEW BEDFORD and WAREHAM — Southcoast Health physician, Dennis LaRock, MD, has accepted the position of executive vice president and chief physician officer effective March 1, announced Southcoast Health.

The chief physician officer is the senior-most physician leader for Southcoast Health and is charged with ensuring the highest levels of quality clinical care throughout the system. LaRock succeeds Rayford Kruger, MD, FACS, who held this position beginning in 2021 up until his retirement earlier in January.

LaRock most recently served as the physician-in-chief of Surgical Services at Southcoast Health overseeing the surgical departments of Brain and Spine, Ear Nose and Throat, General Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Orthopedics, Plastic Surgery, Thoracic Surgery, Trauma and Urology. He was appointed to this position in 2022 in addition to his roles as the co-chief of Urology and chief of Robotic Surgery at Southcoast Health, positions he has held since 2005 and 2008, respectively. He will retain the responsibilities of these positions for the immediate future.

LaRock first became a member of the Southcoast Hospitals Group (SHG) Medical Staff in 1998 and his private practice joined Southcoast Physician Group (SPG) in 2012. He is board certified in adult and pediatric urology and is a Diplomat of the American Board of Urology. Within his new role, he will continue seeing patients at the Southcoast Health outpatient offices in Fairhaven and Fall River and performing surgical cases in Southcoast Health facilities. 

“I am pleased to announce we have selected Dennis LaRock, MD, from an incredibly talented group of candidates to serve as the chief physician officer for Southcoast Health,” said David McCready, president and chief executive officer of Southcoast Health. “He has demonstrated a strong commitment to clinical excellence and advancement. I am confident Dr. LaRock will continue to strengthen and develop our clinical services.”

“I am delighted to accept the executive vice president and chief physician officer position at Southcoast Health and continue working to advance the care and services we provide to our patients and community,” said LaRock. “In this role, I am honored to continue working alongside our incredible team of providers, nurses and staff to deliver exceptional care right here, close to home. I have seen our health system make tremendous progress over the last 25 years, and I am looking forward to continuing to bring new treatments, technology and services to the South Coast region.”