LOS ANGELES, Jan. 17, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --Lakewood Regional Medical Center has appointed Ron Galonsky, FACHE as its new chief executive officer (CEO), effective January 20, 2014.

An experienced healthcare executive and 24-year industry veteran, Mr. Galonsky previously served as chief operations and integration officer at Mission Hospital, a 552-bed acute care hospital in Mission Viejo, CA.  His prior experience includes chief operating officer (COO) and interim chief executive officer of O'Connor

Hospital in San Jose, chief executive officer of Watsonville Community Hospital, and chief operating officer with Hospital Corporation of America (HCA).

"Ron is an exceptional leader whose abilities to motivate and build consensus, combined with business acumen, make him an ideal choice to lead Lakewood Regional Medical Center," said Jeff Koury, CEO Tenet California.

"I am excited about joining the leadership team at Lakewood Regional Medical Center. During the interview process, I met many competent and very caring professionals.  I have been impressed with the physicians, governing board members and hospital staff and feel confident that the organization can prosper and grow" shared Mr. Galonsky in a statement. 

"Ron has an extensive background in hospital operations, capital improvements, business development, and physician relations that will benefit our patients and this community," said Ronald Hartman, MD, one of the founding physicians of the hospital in 1972 and current Lakewood Regional Medical Center Governing Board Chairman. "We welcome him and look forward to working closely together to further the mission and goals of the hospital."

Mr. Galonsky received his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Duke University. Following his military service as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army, Mr. Galonsky earned a Master's in Health Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University.  He is board certified in healthcare management and a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE), a Mentor with the ACHE Leadership Mentoring Network, and a member of the Duke University Alumni Admissions Advisory Committee.

About Lakewood Regional Medical Center: Owned and operated by Tenet Healthcare Corp., Lakewood Regional Medical Center has been serving the medical and health care needs of central Los Angeles County since 1972.  Lakewood Regional Medical Center offers a broad range of health care services, including 24-hour emergency care, cardiology, neurosurgery, Intensive Care Unit, Orthopedic surgical procedures, laboratory,  and a complement of imaging services.  Lakewood Regional Medical Center has earned the distinction heart attack (STEMI) receiving center by the county of Los Angeles.  In addition, Lakewood Regional Medical Center has received the Get With The Guidelines®–Heart Failure Gold Performance Achievement Award from the American Heart Association. Lakewood Regional Medical Center has also been certified as a Primary Stroke Center. Lakewood Regional Medical Center is fully accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the nation's oldest and largest hospital accreditation agency.  To learn more about Lakewood Regional Medical Center, visit www.lakewoodregional.com

CONTACT: Patrick Houston, 562-602-6742, patrick.houston@tenethealth.com

SOURCE Lakewood Regional Medical Center

RELATED LINKShttp://www.lakewoodregioinal.com