New leader takes the helm amidst changes
By Daily Press staff
A new leader has been chosen to guide one of the largest hospitals on the westside.
It was announced Tuesday that Lourdes (Lou) Lazatin has been appointed to the position of president and chief executive officer of Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica. Lazatin has been serving as interim president and CEO of Saint John’s since May, when Bruce Lamoureux resigned.
Lazatin joined Saint John’s in January as chief operating officer. Previously, Lazatin served as chief operating officer for Tenet Healthcare’s Centinela Hospital Medical Center and USC/Norris Cancer Center. Prior to joining Tenet Healthcare, Lazatin served as senior vice president and CEO for the central service area of Sutter Health in Sacramento.
Lazatin’s appointment was jointly announced by William M. Murray, president of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health System, which owns and operates Saint John’s, and Carl W. McKinzie, board chairperson of Saint John’s Health Center.
“Lou brings a wealth of experience and skills to this position,” Murray said. “She has proven that she can rise to the challenges of the health care industry while meeting the unique needs of Saint John’s Health Center. We have great confidence in her abilities and believe her experiences and expertise will make Saint John’s a stronger hospital.”
Ranked the No. 1 community hospital in California, Saint John’s is undergoing the first phase of a major redevelopment project, which includes construction of the new four-story, 275,000-square-foot Howard Keck Diagnostic and Treatment Center. When completed in 2008, the Howard Keck Diagnostic and Treatment Center will be connected via a walkway to the North Pavilion, the four-story, 150-room inpatient facility that opened in December 2004.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 24, 2005. Read the original PDF.