Gustavo Valdespino

President and Chief Executive

Valley Presbyterian Hospital

THE LATEST: The 62-year-old Van Nuys hospital is among the largest independent nonprofit community hospitals in the San Fernando Valley with 350 beds. Its 500 physicians and 1, 600 employees serve more than 60, 000 patients annually. In 2019 Valley Presbyterian completed a $14 million, four-year expansion and renovation of its emergency department that added 14, 500 square feet and boosted the number of beds to 34 from 14. The hospital in July received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association&s stroke bronze quality achievement award, recognizing its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines.

BACKGROUND: Valdespino, who has spent three decades in hospital management, was named chief executive and president at Valley Presbyterian in 2009. He has also served as senior vice president of operations for Tenet Health Corp.'s Southern California region and as chief executive and president of St. Vincent Medical Center. Valdespino is also chief executive of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Orange County.

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