A Fond Farewell to the CEO

At a barbeque on June 2, we had a chance to bid a fond farewell to President and Chief Executive Officer Larry K. Ainsworth, who is retiring this month after 16 years with St. Joseph Hospital. That day was pronounced as "Larry K. Ainsworth Day" by City of Orange Mayor Carolyn V. Cavecche for his outstanding achievements in improving the health of our community (shown here, along with COO Alan Garrett). Here are some of the achievements during his tenure:

* U.S.News & World Report named St. Joseph Hospital one of America’s top 50 hospitals for orthopedic care;

* St. Joseph Hospital was named one of 14 sites in the country by the National Cancer Institute to participate in the NCI Cancer Centers Program (NCCCP). St. Joseph Hospital was the only hospital on the West Coast selected;

*St. Joseph Hospital earned Magnet designation, the highest honor for nursing excellence;

* St. Joseph Hospital opened a 250,000-square-foot Patient Care Center and 85,000-square-foot Center for Cancer Prevention and Treatment at St. Joseph Hospital.

* Mr. Ainsworth provided ongoing leadership in obtaining health coverage for 45,000 children by initiating Orange County’s first California Kids program in collaboration with CHOC Children’s, Hoag, St. Jude Medical Center, Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center and St. Joseph Health System Foundation;

* Mr. Ainsworth helped increased medical access to Orange County’s medically underserved by acquiring and licensing four fully equipped mobile health clinics. These clinics provide primary care, dental and vision services at schools, churches, and community centers in central Orange County.

* Mr. Ainsworth helped enrolled 900 children per year in the Healthy Families and MediCal programs through La Amistad Clinic, Puente a la Salud’s mobile health van and the Orange Unified School District.

Congratulations, Mr. Ainsworth, on your many achievements, and best wishes on your retirement!