Becker’s Hospital Review recently released its 2024 lists of hospital and health system leaders to know and several UC staff were recognized. Congratulations to the colleagues below!
Hospital and health system supply chain leaders to know
(From Becker’s): “Drawing on extensive experience in healthcare supply chain management, these leaders drive cost savings, forge strategic partnerships and effectively manage inventory. Many of these leaders successfully guided their organizations through the supply chain challenges caused by the pandemic and are now positioned to not only survive, but thrive well into the future.”
Don Parks, director of procurement strategy and sourcing, UCLA Health: Don’s current focus is on vendor relations, with the ultimate goal of increasing supply assuredness and decreasing the chance of inflation. Under his guidance, the system is using a new distribution center where the team can stock a greater inventory of high-priority items. Don first joined UCLA Health in 1998 and has worked in roles related to distribution and supply chain ever since.
Susanna Rustad, chief procurement officer and vice president of supply chain management and care at home, UC Irvine Health: At UC Irvine Health, Susanna guides the growth of a nationally recognized health care supply chain management team. She has played a crucial role in the health system’s multi-hospital acquisition and expansion efforts, including the development of a new medical center complex, and has been pivotal in establishing the UCI Health Care at Home platform, which aims to expand care access and supply. Her leadership has resulted in the successful implementation of industry-leading solutions such as P2P, Kanban, RFID, and contract lifecycle management. She has also led extensive process orchestration and automation efforts, with the development of the supply chain control tower currently in progress. With a strong focus on clinically integrated partnerships and data-driven decision-making frameworks, Susanna’s commitment to quality and collaboration has significantly enhanced patient care at UC Irvine Health.
Women hospital and health system CFOs to know
Lori Donaldson, CFO, UC San Diego Health: Lori is the CFO of UC San Diego Health, overseeing the health system’s financial strategies, operating and capital budgets and financial reporting systems and controls — ultimately a budget of over $3 billion. She is also responsible for planning and executing strategic partnerships and financial planning for the system’s capital projects. In addition to this role, Lori serves as a board member for the Bannister Family House at UC San Diego.
Tammy Wallace, CFO, UCLA Health: At UCLA Health, Tammy provides strategic financial leadership on internal and external market opportunities. Her work is instrumental in leading cost savings, supporting strategic expansion and implementing new technology. She is responsible for overseeing functions including revenue cycle, supply chain, medical coding, mergers and acquisitions, contracting, decision support, chargemaster, third-party reimbursement, service line financial management, accounting and audit, financial planning and financial technologies. Most recently, she led the financial planning and due diligence for two hospital acquisitions. She also oversaw a transformation model to spearhead consensus-building for margin-enhancing initiatives such as labor efficiencies, pharmacy growth, length of stay reductions, service mix, standardization of implants and supplies, purchasing, strategic pricing and other revenue enhancements. In addition, she supported financial and operational due diligence to assess readiness and launch for an at-risk Medicare Advantage plan. Thanks in large part to her leadership, UCLA Health has one of the nation’s strongest cash-on-hand positions to maintain confidence in bond markets and financial liquidity.
Academic medical center CEOs to know
Suresh Gunasekaran, president and CEO, UCSF Health: As president and CEO of UCSF Health, Suresh is responsible for directing a mission of growth and innovation at one of the nation’s leading academic health centers. Together with UCSF’s research and education enterprises, Suresh uplifts the health system’s culture and commitment to advancing anti-racism and social justice. He previously served as associate vice president of University of Iowa Health Care and CEO of UI Hospitals & Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa.
Chad Lefteris, president and CEO, UC Irvine Health: Chad is the president and CEO of UC Irvine Health, the only academic health system in Orange County. He leads a $4 billion enterprise that includes UC Irvine Medical Center, four hospitals and several ambulatory care centers across the region, employing a workforce of 12,000 employees. Under his leadership, UC Irvine Health has expanded significantly, including the approval of a $1.3 billion medical campus in Irvine and the acquisition of four hospitals from the Tenet Pacific Coast Network. Mr. Lefteris has driven UC Irvine Health’s commitment to sustainability, overseeing the development of the first all-electric central utilities plant for a medical campus. He has also positioned UC Irvine Health as a national leader in high-quality, safe patient care, with multiple accolades and recognitions for the health system. Additionally, Mr. Lefteris is active in several professional boards, contributing to the broader healthcare community.
David Lubarsky, M.D., CEO and vice chancellor of human health services, UC Davis Health: Dr. Lubarsky oversees UC Davis Health’s top-ranked academic, research and clinical programs, including a flagship level I trauma hospital and a nationally recognized innovation hub for biomedical research. He is responsible for leading the $5 billion health system that comprises 20,000 employees, 1,000 students, 1,000 trainees and 1,3000 faculty members. Under his leadership, the system provides care via over 1.5 million outpatient visits each year. Since entering his role in 2018, he has increased the health system’s revenues by over 50%.
Patty Maysent, CEO, UC San Diego Health: UC San Diego Health is the only academic health system in the region and includes UC San Diego Medical Center, Jacobs Medical Center, Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center, Moores Cancer Center, Shiley Eye Institute, Koman Family Outpatient Pavilion and more than 30 clinics throughout the area. As CEO, Patty is responsible for managing $3.6 billion in annual operating revenue and overseeing 14,000 team members. She is supervising the health system’s multifaceted, multibillion dollar growth and expansion plan.
Johnese Spisso, CEO, UCLA Hospital System, and president, UCLA Health: Johnese oversees all operations and regional outreach strategies for a comprehensive academic health system that includes five hospitals, a faculty practice group, and 280 primary and specialty care clinics in Southern California. Under her leadership since 2016, UCLA Health has added more than 100 clinics and taken multiple other steps to enhance patient access, including mobile primary care for people experiencing homelessness. Johnese led collaborations with the County Department of Mental Health to expand to all ages Medi-Cal coverage for hospitalized psychiatric patients. In 2021, UCLA Health acquired a closed hospital, with the goal of converting into a state-of-the art neuropsychiatric hospital that will expand psychiatric bed capacity by 60%. The UCLA Health Homeless Healthcare Collaborative launched in 2022, recorded 6,000 encounters that year, and later received a $25.3 million state grant to expand coordination with others. Throughout her career, Johnese has received numerous accolades, including the Los Angeles Business Journal “CEO of the Year” and Partners in Care Foundation “Award for Vision & Excellence in Healthcare Leadership” in 2023.