… Keck Hospital Guild celebrates at fall benefit
The Sports Museum of Los Angeles was the setting for the Keck Hospital of USC Guild’s Oct. 13 fall benefit, “Celebrate an Afternoon Among the Superstars.” Thanks to the generosity of the private museum’s owner and collector Gary Cypress, guests toured more than 30 galleries devoted to sports memorabilia spanning the late 19th century to the present. … Read More »
Open enrollment an opportunity to choose Keck Medicine physicians
Open enrollment for benefits-eligible faculty and staff of the University has begun, and personnel are encouraged to choose Keck Medicine of USC providers by signing up for the USC Network Medical Plan. … Read More »
Hoag/USC partnership establishes new comprehensive cancer program
Keck Medicine of USC has announced a new partnership with Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Orange County to establish new cancer and oncology services at the Hoag Family Cancer Institute and, eventually, other locations in Orange County.
The new Hoag/USC partnership marries Orange County’s largest community cancer program with the strengths of USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center. The latest collaboration between the two leading medical centers promises to enhance patient care and services by significantly expanding cancer research and treatment — including advanced clinical trials — in Orange County. … Read More »
Keck Hospital receives Blue Distinction Centers for Cardiac Care designation
By Amy E. Hamaker
Keck Hospital of USC was recently awarded the Blue Distinction Centers for Cardiac Care program designation by insurers Blue Shield and Blue Cross for the quality of its cardiac care program.
The Blue Distinction Center designation was designed to provide transparent data on the quality of medical providers to patients whose employers are national and who are insured by Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. … Read More »
Ajay Vyas promoted to deputy health-care compliance officer
By Tania Chatila
Ajay Vyas, JD, has been promoted to deputy health-care compliance officer, effective Sept. 3. In his new role, Vyas is responsible for the day-to-day management and oversight of the compliance programs for Keck Hospital of USC, USC Norris Cancer Hospital, USC Verdugo Hills Hospital and the Keck Medical Center of USC.
He is also the compliance plan provider for USC Care Medical Group, the Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, USC Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, USC Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy and the USC School of Pharmacy. … Read More »
Stephanie Hall appointed CMO of Keck Hospital of USC and USC Norris Cancer Hospital
By Tania Chatila
The two hospitals of Keck Medicine of USC will welcome its new chief medical officer on Oct. 1, with the appointment of veteran physician leader Stephanie Hall. Hall currently serves as chief medical officer of LAC+USC Medical Center, a position she has held since 2006.
As CMO for Keck Hospital and USC Norris Cancer Hospital, Hall will report to hospitals’ CEO Scott Evans. She will provide critical oversight of clinical initiatives, and will play an active role in ensuring the delivery of safe, quality, efficient care to patients, while also representing the interests of faculty physicians. … Read More »
Willliam Gorenstein appointed new chief financial officer of Keck Medicine of USC
By Tania Chatila
William Gorenstein
William M. Gorenstein, CPA, has been appointed chief financial officer for Keck Medicine of USC, leading financial operations for the entire medical enterprise, and playing a key role in managing the system’s financial accountabilities, sustainability and long-term fiscal goals.
“This is a new role for our Keck Medicine senior team and one that is crucial to our journey forward, especially as we expand our system’s reach through ongoing investments and strategic partnerships,” said Tom Jackiewicz, MPH, senior vice president and CEO for USC Health, to whom Gorenstein reports. … Read More »
Laurie Johnson tapped as new executive administrator of ambulatory services
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. … Read More »
National Health Information Technology Week comes to campus
Keck Medicine Health Information Services is celebrating National Health Information Technology Week, Sept. 16-20, here on the Health Sciences Campus.
Information booths can be found daily during lunchtime at the Keck Hospital of USC cafeteria. Visitors can receive free gifts, snacks and a chance to win a free Microsoft Surface RT tablet device. … Read More »
Noninvasive monitor gift will help physicians diagnose cardiac patients more effectively
By Amy E. Hamaker
Bernice Christenson has a long history with USC, beginning with her time studying for her master’s degree in education in 1955. She was a founding member of the Keck Hospital of USC Hospital Guild, and president in 1995; she received the Widney Alumni House Award in 1997 for outstanding leadership, volunteerism and loyalty to the university.
Keck Hospital of USC and USC Norris Cancer Hospital CEO, Scott Evans, PharmD, and Luanda Grazette (right), MD, MPH, associate professor of clinical medicine at the Keck School of USC, celebrate the gift of a Cheetah NICOM monitor from Bernice Christenson (left) at a special luncheon in Christenson’s honor.
(Photo/Amy E. Hamaker)
At 95 years old, Christenson continues her support of USC through the gift to Keck Hospital of USC of $15,000 for a noninvasive monitor that will help physicians to better evaluate cardiac conditions with less discomfort to patients.
Campus Premiere: New Television Spots for fall coming for Keck Medicine of USC
After years of limited advertising in the market, Keck Medicine of USC will hit the airwaves this fall with two 30-second television commercials featuring 15 physicians, researchers, nurses and support staff.
The two ads promote Keck Medicine of USC by showcasing Keck Hospital of USC and the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center. They will air on major networks and cable outlets the week of Sept. 7 and will continue through May 2014. (Schedule to be announced.) … Read More »
Debbie Walsh, Don Larsen appointed CEO, CMO of USC Verdugo Hills Hospital
Two new leaders will take on the management of USC Verdugo Hills Hospital. Debbie Walsh, RN, MSN, has been appointed the new CEO of USC Verdugo Hills Hospital, succeeding former CEO Len LaBella who is retiring after 12 years at Verdugo Hills Hospital.
In addition, Donald Larsen, MD, MBA, has been appointed chief medical officer for USC Verdugo. The announcements come on the heels of a hospital-wide celebration event and the transformation of Verdugo Hills Hospital as a part of Keck Medicine of USC. … Read More »
Conference offers students insight into careers in health care
By Josh Grossberg
Students from across the country came to Los Angeles in July to get some real-world advice on careers in health care from staff at the Keck Medical Center of USC.
The USC Diversity in Healthcare Leadership Initiative connects students interested in health industry jobs that are not directly clinical. To do that, attendees focused on topics including administration and policy.
John Ferrelli appointed chief administrative officer for USC Norris Cancer Hospital
John Ferrelli
John Ferrelli has been appointed to the position of chief administrative officer (CAO) for USC Norris Cancer Hospital, effective Aug. 1. Ferrelli will be responsible for managing and coordinating the administrative, fiscal and operational activities of USC Norris Cancer Hospital.
“The CAO is a new position for our cancer hospital, and one that will be key in ensuring continued growth of inpatient and outpatient cancer services in and beyond the Health Sciences Campus,” said Scott Evans, PharmD, MHA, CEO of Keck Hospital of USC and USC Norris Cancer Hospital.
National ranking places USC hospitals among the best
Keck Hospital of USC and USC Norris Cancer Hospital are once again ranked among the best hospitals in the United States in U.S. News & World Report’s annual “Best Hospitals” rankings. The hospitals have been included in the rankings since 2009, when the University of Southern California purchased the hospitals.
USC-affiliated Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, staffed exclusively by faculty physicians from the Keck School of Medicine of USC, also was named last month to U.S. News’ Best Children’s Hospitals Honor Roll, and ranked in the top five in the nation. … Read More »
For patients, a thoughtful gesture makes all the difference
Keck Hospital of USC patient Jennifer Sutherland shows off the beaded necklace given to her by USC volunteers in recognition of her courage and inspirational attitude.
Photo/Jon Nalick
Jennifer Sutherland gently touched the beaded necklace as it was clasped around her neck. A piece of jewelry could hardly make up for what she had been through, but the gesture and the thought behind it made her cry softly.
During an informal ceremony at Keck Hospital of USC in May, CEO Scott Evans told her that the gift was a way to remember that even though she would soon be leaving the hospital after two months, she had friends who would be there for her.
“This gives you something to hold onto and look at,” Evans said. “It’s a token to say we’re here with you all the time.” … Read More »
ETC reopens after remodel, expansion
When the Evaluation and Treatment Clinic (ETC) opened at Keck Hospital of USC in 2009, it proved to be so successful that the need for expansion soon became apparent.
Nearly four years later, the newly remodeled—and much larger—clinic opened for patient care on April 23.
While the clinic formerly had to ‘make do’ with two small examination rooms, it now boasts five, including a larger room that can better accommodate bariatric patients. The clinic has nearly doubled in size from 562 to 1,028 square feet. … Read More »