Mission Hospital’s leader to step down

Kenneth McFarland, Mission Hospital’s chief executive, announced Friday that he will resign to pursue other career opportunities, ending an 18-year run with the organization, according to a news release.

McFarland’s last day will be Feb. 5. He has served as CEO since 2011, overseeing facilities in both Laguna Beach and Mission Viejo.

Hospital officials selected Richard Afable, former president and chief executive of Hoag Hospital, as interim CEO, though they declined to provide further details when asked if they would conduct a national search for a successor.

In a statement, McFarland said the hospital accomplished “significant milestones” during his tenure.

“We tripled the footprint of our emergency department (at both Laguna Beach and Mission Viejo locations), doubled our inpatient capacity with the addition of a new patient tower (at Mission Viejo) and opened the world-class Neuroscience & Spine Institute (at Mission Viejo),” McFarland said. “Additionally, we ensured our work will continue for generations by reaching our philanthropic goal of raising $200 million in community support over these last 10 years.”

Mission Hospital, part of the 16-hospital St. Joseph Health system, opened the Mission Viejo facility in 1971 and acquired the Laguna Beach location at 31872 S. Coast Hwy. in 2009. The Laguna Beach hospital offers an emergency department and intensive care and surgical units. The Mission Viejo hospital houses the only regional trauma center in south Orange County.

McFarland’s departure will leave a void, Deborah Proctor, St. Joseph’s president and CEO, said in the news release.

“He and his team have worked hard to ensure the community has high-quality, compassionate care, and we are very grateful for his focus and commitment,” Proctor said.

—Bryce Alderton

Twitter: @AldertonBryce