Richard Braam has been named vice president for Finance at St. Mary’s Hospital, replacing Paul Barber Jr, who has held the position since 1981.

“St. Mary’s Hospital offers great opportunities to grow,” Braam said.

 
 Braam
 
 Barber

“Before working here, I had heard nothing but good things about the hospital.” He was particularly drawn to St. Mary’s County because of its close-knit community.Before joining SMH, Braam served as the chief financial officer at Bon Secours Health System in Baltimore. He also worked for MedStar Health, Keswick Multicare Center, CoreCare Systems Inc. and the Malcolm Grow Medical Center at Andrews Air Force Base. He has more than 20 years of professional accounting and financial experience in the health care field.

Braam graduated from the University of Maryland with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He earned his master’s in business with a concentration in finance from the University of Baltimore.

Originally from Minnesota, Braam now resides in Leonardtown with his wife, Debbie, and two kids, Ryan and Michelle. He is an avid marathon runner and a member of the Chesapeake Bay Running Club. He plans to become more involved in community activities in the near future.

Braam is replacing Paul Barber Jr., who became vice president of Finance in 1981 and is retiring this month. Barber’s contributions helped make the hospital a leading health care provider in Southern Maryland. His accomplishments included funding capital expansion and new equipment projects. Barber is known for his famous jokes and for being a long time fixture in the Southern Maryland music scene. In appreciation for his years of service, the hospital will name its administrative wing in Barber’s honor.

 

Barber is a graduate of Baltimore College of Commerce. He is also a recipient of the Follmer Bronze Merit Award and Reeves Silver Merit Award for outstanding service to the Healthcare Financial Management Association, served on various task forces of the Maryland Hospital Association and was treasurer of the Leonardtown Rotary Club for many years. He was also a member of the American Red Cross Board of Directors, as well as treasurer of the local United Way for many years.