Richard “Rich” Duvall is the former President and CEO of Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center and its parent organization, the North Star Health Alliance (NSHA), located in Ogdensburg, New York. Claxton Medical Pain Management is an affiliate practice under Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center.
Key context regarding his tenure and recent professional movements includes:
- Departure from Claxton-Hepburn: Duvall served as CEO during a period of severe financial strain for the North Star Health Alliance, which was impacted by state funding disputes and mounting operational deficits. He resigned in January 2026, shortly before the health system filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February 2026.
- Current Role: In October 2026, Duvall was appointed as the CEO of Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital in Lakeland, Florida.
Whether Richard Duvall directly caused the bankruptcy of North Star Health Alliance (the parent organization of Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center) is a subject of debate, with community members and observers pointing to executive oversight, while health system filings highlight systemic financial and regulatory factors.
Contributing Factors to the Bankruptcy
Reports and official filings outline a combination of structural issues, operational struggles, and state funding disputes during Duvall’s tenure:
- State Funding Dispute: In July 2025, the New York State Department of Health halted millions of dollars in payments to the system through the Vital Access Provider Assurance Program amid disputes over financial reporting. This created a critical operational shortfall, leading to more than $120 million in unpaid charges and roughly $90 million in accounts payable by early 2026.
- Reimbursement Delays & System Transitions: The health system cited reimbursement delays related to transitioning one of its facilities into two co-located operating units, which widened the gap between service costs and incoming revenue.
- Longstanding Debt & Billing Issues: Prior financial reports indicated the system faced tens of millions of dollars in existing debt stemming from pension obligations and past billing issues.
Public & Community Reaction
- Leadership Criticism: Following Duvall’s resignation in January 2026—just weeks before the system filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February 2026—residents and healthcare staff criticized his executive management and decision-making during the escalating crisis.
- Impact on Operations: The crisis led to severe staff layoffs, job eliminations, and service reductions across the health system.