Erik G. Wexler is chief executive of the Southern California region of Providence St. Joseph Health, the second-largest health system in the LA/Orange County/High Desert area. In his position, Wexler leads award-winning medical centers, a comprehensive network of physician offices, outpatient care and extensive community programs.
Wexler came to Providence Health & Services in May 2016 as chief executive of the Los Angeles region, and worked closely with leadership as it joined with St. Joseph Health in Orange County and the High Desert to form a new organization, Providence St. Joseph Health. In developing the Southern California region, he created a new leadership structure that decreased overhead and provided more caregivers at the bedside, thereby ensuring local residents continued outstanding services.
The Providence St. Joseph Health Southern California Region now includes 14 hospitals, approximately 90 clinics, TrinityCare Hospice and its TrinityKids Care pediatric hospice, Providence High School, home health care services, eight wellness centers and highly-rated physician groups. Together, these services have 35,000 employees – called caregivers – and 5,200 physicians, generating $7.5 billion in revenue.
He oversees a system that is the second largest in Los Angeles/Orange Counties and the High Desert, and he does it with a clear vision of how one of the area’s most comprehensive health providers should assist its communities, often focusing on innovative programs that are redefining contemporary care.
As Wexler frequently reminds his teams, health care is changing regardless of the political climate. To make services more affordable and accessible, PSJH focuses on ensuring best practice care at its acute hospitals and increasing the spectrum of services available in the ambulatory and community-based setting.
Wexler also ensures PSJH Southern California addresses mental illness. In 2016, PSJH made a $100 million commitment to mental health for the entire seven-state system, with California committing to deploying $30 million.
