Pamela J. O’Leary to lead South Shore Health’s Board of Directors

Pamela J. O’Leary, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of South Shore Bank, has been named Chair of the Board of South Shore Health, a not-for-profit, charitable health system which serves the South Shore region of Massachusetts. Before being elected chair, she was vice chair of the board and served on a variety of subcommittees for the past six years.

South Shore Health’s Board of Directors is the organization’s governing body. The board, which includes business leaders, community leaders and clinicians, is responsible for oversight of the entire health system.

“Pam is highly regarded in our community as someone who brings rigorous discipline, strategic mindset, commitment to our employees and an open mind to a passion for improving the health of every member of our community,” said Allen L. Smith, MD, MS, President & CEO, South Shore Health. “I am looking forward to working alongside her as we continue to evolve to better serve the current and future needs of our patients.”

O’Leary is a lifelong resident of Weymouth and was born at South Shore Hospital, part of South Shore Health. Her son, two daughters, and granddaughter were also born at the hospital. She will lead the health system’s board as it prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2022.

“South Shore Health and I share a very important value, and that is our commitment to community,” O’Leary said. “As the largest independent healthcare organization in Southeastern Massachusetts, we will evolve to embrace innovation and the changing healthcare landscape to ensure our long-term success while we continually evaluate our community’s health and wellness needs.”

In her role as EVP & COO at South Shore Bank, O’Leary leads that organization’s strategic initiatives by shaping digital transformation, process quality, relationship building, and client experience with a focus on the future of banking. O’Leary has also held other senior leadership roles focused on driving technology and operational excellence throughout organizations.  

The South Shore community has benefited from O’Leary’s talents and expertise through her active participation on other boards and committees including South Shore Peer Recovery; Norwell Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice; South Shore Chamber of Commerce; and the Massachusetts Bankers Association’s Technology Committee. 

“I have a passion for contributing to this thriving region, mentoring and sharing success with others,” O’Leary said. She also serves nationally with Fiserv, Inc. an American multinational Fortune 500 company on one of its Strategic Planning Councils and is a proud Advisor to Wellspring Multi-Service Center located on the South Shore.

O’Leary earned a Master’s degree in Information Technology Management from Brandeis University, a Bachelor’s degree in English from North Adams State College and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania/ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking and the Wharton Leadership Program. She holds certificates in Executive Leadership and Negotiation Edge from Simmons College, and Finance for the Technical Executive from MIT.