USC Verdugo Hills Hospital names new leader
Keith Hobbs has been named the new head of USC Verdugo Hills Hospital and steps into the role Jan. 4 after 20 years with Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. He replaces Paul Craig, who served as the interim chief executive officer.
Hobbs says he plans on walking every floor to stay in touch with his medical staff as part of his daily work routine.
“I want to look at ways to build relationships and improve quality of care and to continue to strive to reach our objectives at USC Verdugo Hills,” Hobbs said in a phone interview.
As a vice president at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Hobbs oversaw the operations and financials of several departments including radiology, pathology, anesthesiology and critical care medicine.
One of the first major projects under his tenure at USC Verdugo Hills will be the addition of a new neonatal intensive care unit, Hobbs said.
Earlier this year, the unionized nursing staff at USC Verdugo Hills signed a 14-month contract with the hospital that stipulated upping the quality of care being provided.
“As bedside registered nurses we know that leadership is vital,” said Erica Beltrand, a registered nurse and representative for the California Nurses Assn. in an email interview about Hobbs’ arrival. “We look forward to a successful future where USC keeps its promise to our community of providing the same standards of quality and care at USC VHH as they have at Keck and Norris medical centers — our patients and their families deserve no less.”
This past fall, Leapfrog, which publishes twice-yearly hospital safety scores, gave USC Verdugo Hills a C. Hobbs said new data submitted to Leapfrog will likely raise that score next time, and more improvement work is slated.
“The Verdugo Hills Hospital Foundation just granted a $250,000 donation to help fund renovations in our emergency care unit,” he said. “Upgrading that area to ensure the highest standard of safety and efficiency will be a priority in 2016.”
The new neonatal care unit should also help raise the Leapfrog grade, Hobbs said.
Having grown up in La Crescenta, Hobbs said he looks forward to blending his knowledge of the Foothills community with his more than two decades of experience.
“Working in combination, those two will bring some great success to USC Verdugo Hills, to the patients and families we serve as well as to the employees,” he said.
Thomas E. Jackiewicz, senior vice president and CEO of USC Health, said Hobbs’ experience covers the key bases of running a hospital.
“His long tenure at Children’s Hospital demonstrates a proven track record for strengthening and supporting all aspects of hospital operations — clinical, operational and financial,” he stated in a news release.
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Arin Mikailian, arin.mikailian@latimes.com
Twitter: @ArinMikailian
