As we start the new year, I have the great pleasure of introducing HASC’s 2026 board members. Once again, we’re facing another extremely challenging year — so it’s encouraging to see these dedicated hospital leaders doubling down on their commitment to keep improving patient care and the health of our communities.
The highly experienced executives who join our board are no strangers to adversity. They have reached their current level through demonstrating their ability to perform under pressure, collaborate and think outside the box. And when setbacks inevitably happen, these leaders may get discouraged but never defeated as they persist in finding a way forward.
This resilience and commitment will be critical as our hospitals continue facing legislative challenges, rising costs, tightening budgets, workforce shortages, growing behavioral health needs and more. As HASC and our members work together to address these issues, I’m fully confident that, led by these accomplished leaders, we will brave the storm and emerge stronger as we continue advocating for high-quality care that’s accessible to all.
We’re grateful to our 2025 chair, Keith Hobbs, and outgoing board members for leading us with strength and insight this past year. Our deepest thanks to all of you for your commitment to HASC and to advancing health care and well-being for Southern Californians. Your service has accomplished much and positioned us well for the year ahead.
Please join HASC as we warmly welcome our 2026 board chair, Elaine Batchlor, MD, chief executive officer, MLK Community Healthcare, and directors (below). Despite the challenges ahead, with these remarkable leaders at the helm, I know we’re facing the future from the best possible position.
Take care and stay safe.
George G.
HASC 2026 Board of Directors
Executive Committee
Chair: Elaine Batchlor, MD, Chief Executive Officer, MLK Community Healthcare
Chair-elect: Jim West, President/CEO, PIH Health
Immediate Past Chair: Keith Hobbs, President/CEO, Torrance Memorial Medical Center
President: George Greene, President/CEO, Hospital Association of Southern California
Treasurer: John Chapman, President/CEO, San Antonio Regional Hospital
Secretary: Kim Milstien, Regional Market Leader, Rady Children’s Health
Ex-officio Member: Carmela Coyle, President/CEO, California Hospital Association
Members at Large
Robert Braithwaite, President/CEO, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian
Yvette Cope, CEO, Lompoc Valley Medical Center
Armand Dorian, MD, Chief Executive Officer, USC Verdugo Hills Hospital
Jeremy Zoch, President/CEO, Northridge Hospital Medical Center
Multi-hospital System Representatives
Carolyn Caldwell, Chief Executive Officer, St. Mary Medical Center Long Beach
Kevin Chavez, Central District CEO, ScionHealth/Kindred
Shela Kaneshiro, CEO/Chief Clinical Transformation Officer, MemorialCare
Linda Marsh, Senior Executive Vice President, AHMC Healthcare Inc.
Ikenna Mmeje, President/CEO, Keck Medicine of USC
Eric Williams, SVP/COO, Kaiser Permanente Southern California Region
Special Constituent Representatives
ACHE of Southern California: Angel Vargas, VP of Care at Home, Kaiser Permanente Southern California Region
Patient Care Administration: Brandi Cassingham, RN, VP of Patient Care Services/CNO, Saddleback Medical Center
Post-acute Care: Perry Ebeltoft, Market CEO, Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital, Murietta
Area Representatives
Los Angeles County – Northern and Valley Area
Chair: Jeremy Zoch, President/CEO, Northridge Hospital Medical Center
John Raffoul, President, Adventist Health White Memorial
Roger Sharma, President/CEO, Emanate Health
James Theiring, Chief Executive Officer, Mission Community Hospital
Gus Valdespino, President/CEO, Valley Presbyterian Hospital
Los Angeles County – Coastal Harbor Area
Joe Avelino, Chief Executive Officer, College Medical Center
Bryan Croft, Executive Vice President/COO, Cedars-Sinai Marina Del Rey Hospital
Johnese Spisso, President, UCLA Health
Andrea Turner, Chief Executive Officer, Harbor UCLA Medical Center
Paul Viviano, President/CEO, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
Inland Area
Chair: Darlene Wetton, Group Vice President, Southwest Healthcare
Michael Ditoro, Chief Executive Officer, Desert Regional Medical Center
Andrew Goldfrach, Chief Executive Officer, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center
Evan Rayner, Chief Executive Officer, Bear Valley Community Hospital
Orange County Area
Chair: Payman Roshan, Senior Vice President, Area Manager, Kaiser Permanente Anaheim Medical Center
Dan Brothman, Chief Executive Officer, Huntington Beach Hospital, Prime Healthcare
Chad Lefteris, Chief Executive Officer, UCI Health
Santa Barbara Area
Chair: Scott Wester, President/CEO, Cottage Health
Ventura Area
Chair: John Fankhauser, MD, Chief Executive Officer, Ventura County Medical Center