For many on the Eastern Shore, Kristie Finney is already a familiar face. A lifelong Onancock resident and longtime leader at Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital (RSMH), she has been serving as the hospital’s Interim President since November, continuing a career devoted to advancing quality, strengthening clinical standards, and building meaningful partnerships that support community health.
Before stepping into the interim role, Finney served as Senior Director of Quality and Laboratory Services, where she played a pivotal role in driving measurable improvements in patient safety, care coordination, and overall hospital performance. Today, we’re taking a closer look at the leader guiding RSMH forward and the deep community roots that continue to shape her work.
“Kristie’s deep roots on the Shore, her unwavering commitment to this community, and her proven record of elevating clinical excellence make her the ideal leader for Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital,” said Dr. Michael Oshiki, President of Acute Care Services at Riverside Health. “Her leadership has directly contributed to significant quality achievements for the hospital.”
Throughout her career, Finney has demonstrated a passion for strengthening local health care access, especially for vulnerable and rural populations. She has collaborated closely with community partners to expand support for patients beyond the hospital setting.
She helped launch new collaborations with the Virginia Department of Health to better support local mothers with high-risk pregnancies, and with Eastern Shore Rural Health to help residents stay healthy after leaving the hospital and avoid preventable readmissions. These efforts reflect Finney’s commitment to addressing the unique challenges of rural healthcare delivery and ensuring Eastern Shore residents receive equitable, high-quality care close to home.
“As someone who has lived and worked on the Eastern Shore my entire life, this community is personal to me,” Finney said. “It is an honor to lead the dedicated teams at Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital as we continue advancing quality, safety, and compassionate care for every patient who walks through our doors. I am committed to ensuring that residents of the Shore have access to exceptional health care close to home.”
Outside of her professional role, Finney enjoys spending time at the beach, fishing with her father, reading, and being with friends and family, especially her 12-year-old son. She also serves on the boards of the YMCA and the local community college, where she advocates for education and community development. Her dedication to lifelong learning and educational access underscores her commitment to strengthening opportunities for residents across the Shore.
Under Finney’s leadership, RSMH will continue its focus on improving patient outcomes, fostering strong community partnerships, and delivering care aligned with the needs of a diverse and evolving population.
About the Author
Congratulations, you’ve got your work cut out for you. I sincerely hope you can clean it up so us residents can have a decent working hospital that we can trust.