Association News

Association News includes the leadership developments, legislative initiatives and changes, ideas and commentary pertinent to our members. It keeps you ahead of what’s happening and demonstrates the true value of your membership—relationships, representation and advocacy.

HASC Endorses Measure ER to Fund Local Health Services

HASC has joined the coalition Yes on ER, adding to the growing effort supporting Measure ER (formerly the Essential Services Restoration Act). The ballot measure proposes to increase the Los Angeles County sales tax from 9.75% to 10.25% for five years to help fund local health departments and services. Voters will decide whether to pass […]

Addressing the Surgical Tech Shortage: A Better Staffing Solution

For many health care employers, finding enough surgical technologists (STs) has never been more trying. According to a 2022 survey, 83 percent of health care executives named a shortage of surgical techs as a staffing problem. Even when STs can be found, because of low pay, burnout and competitor signing bonuses, there’s no guarantee they’ll […]

New CEO Joins Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital

HASC is pleased to welcome Lara Khouri, who joined Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital as chief executive officer in February. Previously, she was president and chief operating officer of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). In her time at CHLA, Khouri oversaw all strategic, operational and administrative functions. Highlights of her impact include high-water marks for CHLA’s […]

Apply for AHA’s 2027 Foster G. McGaw Prize

Does your organization improve community health and well-being through leadership and community partnerships? The American Hospital Association (AHA) invites you to apply for the 2027 Foster G. McGaw Prize. The prize honors health delivery organizations that demonstrate alignment between community health needs and co-designed programs. Honorees forge effective collaborations with a broad range of community […]

Unlocking Hidden Revenue for California Hospitals

Don’t Leave Settlement Dollars Behind Hospitals and health care organizations across the country are missing out on settlement dollars that are already set aside for them. Many never file — simply because they aren’t aware they qualify, don’t have the data ready or don’t have staff capacity to manage a complex filing process. Through a […]

New Member Chief Executives Welcomed

HASC is pleased to welcome Ruby Gill, DNP, MBA, RN, senior vice president and area manager, Kaiser Permanente (KP) San Bernardino County Service Area, and Adam Thunell, chief executive officer, Redlands Community Hospital (RCH). Gill, who assumed her role in January, oversees health plan and hospital operations and partners with the area medical director and […]

Sharing the Hospital Perspective at the LAEDC Economic Forecast

On Feb. 25, I had the opportunity to participate in a panel discussion at the 2026 Economic Forecast, hosted by the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC). I was honored to join an outstanding group of leaders, including Martha Santana-Chin of L.A. Care, Dr. Christina Ghaly of Los Angeles County Health Services, Castulo de […]

My Pathway to Health: Strengthening the Health Care Talent Pipeline

Hospitals across California are facing ongoing workforce shortages in entry-level and allied health roles. Meeting patient demand requires stronger, more intentional talent pipelines. UNITE-LA, a nonprofit promoting equity and economic mobility through education and workforce development, designed its My Pathway to Health (MPTH) program as a practical workforce solution. HASC is proud to partner with […]

Submit Your Hospital’s Creative Work to The Finest Awards

The Health Care Communicators of Southern California’s The Finest Awards celebrate innovation and excellence in health care marketing and communications. If you’ve produced a groundbreaking campaign, transformed messaging strategy or built strong connections through storytelling, submit your entry by Friday, March 13. Awarded categories are: Advertising Public Relations Campaigns Writing Publications, Collateral and Design Multimedia […]

How MedCerts Helps Employers Address the Medical Assistant Shortage

For health care employers struggling to find medical assistants (MAs), recent data spells out the extent of the problem. According to a 2025 Medical Group Management Association survey, 47% of medical practice leaders say MAs are the most difficult role to recruit. Meanwhile, a study published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine […]