Executive Profile
Growing up in the local mountains of Lake Arrowhead provided me with a wonderful appreciation of community engagement. When you live in a small community, your extended family is your church, school, firehouse and hospital. Although much larger, the City of Temecula has this same sense of community. When my husband and I moved here in 2012, we were so impressed with the kindness and generosity of everyone we met. Before moving to this beautiful region, we were warned that it can get ‘warm’ in the summers. No one mentioned that the temperature would reach over 110 in October that first year!
It was very important for me to integrate closely into this community before opening the new hospital. I needed to understand the quality of life, health patterns, overall demographics and physician resources.
I was so impressed with the level of community engagement and strong support for volunteerism. A year before the hospital opened, a Community Advisory Group was formed to listen and learn about the health care needs of this region. This important group of community leaders and physicians volunteered their time to establish the foundation of the new hospital. Just prior to the hospital opening, they transitioned into the first Board of Governors for Temecula Valley Hospital. I will always be indebted to their sound knowledge and advice.
Affiliations
I chair the 2015 Executive Leadership Team for the American Heart and Stroke Association in South Riverside County. We really raised the bar at this year’s Heart and Stroke Walk held on May 8th at Lake Skinner. Over 3,000 walkers participated and more than $150,000 was raised to build healthier lives free of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
I am an advocate for higher education and serve on the Advisory Board for the Dean of Health and Humanities at California State University, San Marcos. CSU San Marcos has a satellite campus and outreach activities that promote transition of local high school graduates in our region into the University system.
In addition, I am a Board Member of the Boys and Girls Club of Southwest Riverside County whose mission is to inspire and enable all youth to realize the full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.
Business Philosophies
Providing a clearly defined framework and developing an intentional culture that promotes the values of the organization are paramount to business success. Our framework is focuesed on the delivery of patient centered, family sensitive care to the community that we serve. Our most important value is compassion and this drives the culture of the hospital.
My priority as the leader of the organization is to drive rapid quality improvement and provide for patient safety. This is accomplished by choosing, developing and aligning a leadership team capable of transformational tasks, and holding this team accountable for exceptional performance.
Favorite Sport
I love any sports involving water, although my kids will tell you that this is limited to sports where I don’t get my hair wet. I enjoy house boating, waterskiing and have recently taken up stand-up paddle boarding. I’m the proud owner of my own pink stand up paddleboard now.
Goals
To continue to follow the Lord’s path for my life and to enjoy as much time as I possibly can with my beautiful husband, children and grandchildren.
Mentors
My parents have been wonderful mentors for me my entire life. Their passion for adventure, love for one another, and focus on faith has served as guiding principles. Throughout the many challenges in their lives, they have shared through example that life is not waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.
Favorite Reading
I enjoy legal intrigue by John Grisham, heart-wrenching love stories by Nicholas Sparks and Southern fiction by Pat Conroy. “Prince of Tides” by Pat Conroy is a great summer read.
Resume
I attained a Bachelor’s degree in nursing from Cal State Dominguez Hills and enjoyed working as a Registered Nurse in the specialty field of Oncology. I went back to school while raising my family and attained my MBA from Webster University where I was recognized as valedictorian in my graduating class. I progressed through my health care career to executive level positions including Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Operating Officer. I now serve as the Chief Executive Officer for Temecula Valley Hospital.
Birthplace
I’m a native Californian and was born at Hemet hospital.