HASC is pleased to welcome Patrick Caster, the new chief executive of St. John’s Hospitals, Ventura County, and Sharon Pudlo, who recently became chief executive of Coachella Valley Behavioral Health in Indio, Riverside County.
Patrick Caster
Caster is returning to Southern California as president and chief executive officer of Dignity Health – St. John’s Regional Medical Center, Oxnard, and St. John’s Hospital, Camarillo. He brings over 25 years of senior leadership experience in health care. He holds two business degrees from Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania.
Most recently, Caster served as president and CEO at Dignity Health – French Hospital Medical Center, San Luis Obispo. There, he oversaw successful quality improvement, patient experience and service line expansion projects. As a result, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services upgraded the facility to a 5-star rating. Earlier, Caster was chief operating officer of Dignity Health – California Hospital Medical Center, Los Angeles, the highest-volume private trauma center in LA County.
“I’m honored to join the St. John’s teams as the leader of both facilities.” Caster said. “I look forward to continuing the meaningful work that has positively impacted the communities for decades.”
Sharon Pudlo
Pudlo brings over 30 years of experience in nursing and health care administration to her new role at Coachella Valley Behavioral Health. The new 80-bed inpatient behavioral health hospital is preparing to open soon.
After starting her career as a bedside nurse in Louisville, Kentucky, Pudlo held leadership roles in risk management, regulatory compliance and nursing administration in several states. Prior to joining Coachella Valley, she served as CEO of a behavioral health hospital in Charleston, South Carolina.
Pudlo earned a BS in nursing from Spalding University in Louisville, Kentucky, and a JD degree from Brandies School of Law at the University of Louisville. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, being out in nature and spending time with her husband, children and grandchild.