Hospital board selects new member

In a special meeting on May 6, the Palomar Pomerado Health (PPH) Board unanimously selected Steve Yerxa to complete the term of former board member Alan Larson, M.D.

Dr. Larson resigned from his role as a board member on April 13 and is now director of the PPH Center of Integrative Medicine. Yerxa will serve the remaining term, which runs through November of this year.

Yerxa has 35 years of experience in health care leadership, including as senior vice president of managed care for Texas Health Resources, president and CEO for NYLCare in Dallas Texas and CEO for Aetna Health Plans.

He recently served on PPH’s Independent Citizens Oversight Committee and was the chairman from 2005-08.

In addition to his professional roles, Yerxa is involved in community service. He has served on the boards of chambers of commerce, United Way and the YMCA. In 2007, he completed a term as president of the Escondido East Rotary Club.

“My motivation to serve is my desire to contribute to the continued success of Palomar Pomerado Health,” said Yerxa. “I’m passionate about ensuring high quality care, patient safety and achieving successful strategic initiatives through effective governance and sound financial management.”

Palomar Pomerado Health is a public hospital district that operates Palomar Medical Center in Escondido and Pomerado Hospital in Poway. Ramona is among communities within the 800-square-mile district.