MemorialCare restructures executive leadership structure in Long Beach – Press Telegram

MemorialCare, the regional not-for-profit healthcare organization that owns and operates Long Beach Medical Center and Miller Children’s and Women’s Hospital, has announced a new leadership structure as well as three promotions.

Changes follow July resignations CEO John Bishop and Chief Operating Officer Ike Mmeje — both oversee the entire Long Beach campus — though neither position has yet been filled. Bishop remains on the job until a replacement is found through a national search, but Mmeje left on July 26.

MemorialCare announced Monday, Oct. 24 that Yair Katz has been appointed to the new position of chief executive officer of Miller Children’s and MemorialCare’s senior vice president of pediatrics. For the past seven years, Katz has been the chief financial officer of both hospitals. He will also serve as chief financial officer until a replacement is found, MemorialCare said in a statement.

Another new position will be a chief nursing officer who will oversee MemorialCare Medical Center and Miller Children’s and Women’s Hospital. Susan Herman transitioned to the position from the position of chief nurse at Miller Children’s Center.

A chief strategy officer position has also been created for both hospitals, with Steve Cheska moving into the role from his previous role as vice president of business development at Long Beach MemorialCare.

Helen McPhee remains acting chief operating officer of both hospitals. She took over the position when Mmeje resigned. Dr. Joe Kim, chief medical officer at Long Beach Medical Center, and Dr. Graham Tse, chief medical officer at Miller Children’s and Women’s Center, will continue in their roles.

Earlier this year, Long Beach MemorialCare investigated patients who received the wrong medication there during a pair of incidents in February and March, some of which were apparently life-threatening. The California Department of Public Health allowed the medical center to keep its Medicare designation after identifying systemic problems that caused the wrong medication, which have been addressed.

This investigation became known in early July. But there was no indication that the resignations were a result of that investigation, and there was no mention of it in that reorganization statement.

Miller Women’s and Children’s Hospital is one of eight children’s hospitals in the state. Barry Arbuckle, president and chief executive officer of MemorialCare, said in a statement that this is “the greatest area of ​​untapped growth potential in our health care system.”

“In order to provide the highest possible level of strategic focus,” he added, “it became very clear that we would benefit from an additional senior leader focused on Miller Children’s and Women’s Hospital, and our team recognized that Yair was exceptional.” choice for this role.”

MemorialCare is a not-for-profit health care system that includes four hospitals and two medical groups, as well as other facilities in Los Angeles and Orange counties.