Faced with ever-changing rules and regulations, hospital and health system CEOs must constantly keep a pulse on the healthcare industry and be ready to alter their organizational strategy any day of the week. Chris Van Gorder, president and CEO of San Diego-based Scripps Health, talked to Becker’s Hospital Review about some of the biggest challenges and successes that are currently top of mind.
Mr. Van Gorder has led Scripps, a $2.9 billion integrated health system, since 2000. He is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and served as the 2010 chairman of the association.
His exposure to healthcare began as a hospital patient when he was critically injured while responding to a family dispute. After a long recovery, Mr. Van Gorder started a new career in hospital security, eventually rising through the ranks of healthcare management. Today, in addition to serving as Scripps’ president and CEO, he is a reserve assistant sheriff to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, in charge of the Law Enforcement and Search and Rescue Reserves. He also is a licensed emergency medical technician (EMT) and an instructor for the American Red Cross.
Here, Mr. Van Gorder took the time to answer our six questions.
HENRY KOTULA 