By Tania Chatila

Laurie Johnson comes to the Keck Medical Center of USC with more than 30 years’ experience in L.A.-based health care.
(Photo/Courtesy Keck Medical Center Human Resources)

The Keck Medical Center of USC has welcomed the newest member of its leadership team — a longtime, Los Angeles-based health-care administrator who will oversee outpatient operations while also ensuring long-term growth of the medical center’s overall ambulatory business.

Laurie Johnson assumed the position of executive administrator of ambulatory
 services on Sept. 3. In this role, reporting to Scott Evans, PharmD, CEO of Keck Hospital of USC
 and USC Norris Cancer Hospital, Johnson will manage the administrative, fiscal and
operational activities of all of the Keck Medical Center’s hospital-based outpatient offices. She will be responsible for planning, implementing and evaluating delivery of care, service excellence, performance improvement and fiscal stewardship.

“We are excited about recruiting an experienced Southern California health-care leader to a critical role within our organization,” said Evans. “One of the most important initiatives Laurie will lead is the development and implementation of a targeted plan to streamline processes across ambulatory practices. She will be focused on ensuring a seamless experience for our patients across the continuum of care.”

Johnson will work closely with outpatient clinicians, physicians and USC Care leadership to achieve strategic ambulatory goals. She will also support the development of a robust referral program, clinical outreach and business partnerships in the community to ensure continued growth of the medical center’s rapidly expanding ambulatory care network.

“The presence of a designated ambulatory executive to partner with our physician practices will be key to the future success of our outpatient offices,” said Helena Chui, MD, chair of the Department of Neurology and chair of the ambulatory care subcommittee. “This is such an important role, and we’re confident that Laurie will help build a strong, integrated ambulatory network that will benefit our patients, physicians and our organization.”

Johnson brings nearly 30 years’ experience in Los Angeles-based health care to USC, with notable experience in strategy development, service and quality excellence, and revenue and financial management. She most recently served as director of ambulatory operations since 2007 for the UCLA Faculty Practice Group, which encompasses 125 outpatient practices, more than 2,000 staff members and more than 600 faculty physicians within the UCLA Health System. Prior to that, she served for 13 years as the director of ambulatory operations for UCLA’s Department of Medicine. Johnson has also held positions at health-care companies in Glendale, Santa Monica and Woodlands Hills, giving her a deep understanding of the Los Angeles health-care market.