President, Kaiser Permanente Southern California and Hawaii
Gaskill-Hames took over last year as Kaiser Permanente’s top Southern California executive, replacing Julie Miller-Phipps. She oversees nearly 78,000 employees who collaborate with 8,120 Permanente Medical Group physicians to deliver care to roughly 4.8 million members through 15 hospitals and 236 medical offices in Southern California, as well as another 268,000 members in Hawaii. Gaskill-Hames joined Kaiser in 2016 and served in various leadership roles in Northern California before moving to this region in 2022.
What’s the best advice you ever got?
A good friend often says, “The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.” It’s a great reminder that often the only thing holding us back is our fears. When we face them head on, we really can’t be stopped.
What’s your favorite movie, all time and in any category?
I love the movie “Hidden Figures.” It tells the true story of three fierce and brilliant African American women who worked at NASA in the 1960s and played a critical role in the U.S. race to the moon.
What’s at the top of your bucket list?
Watching the Northern Lights from the Ice Hotel in Sweden.
What was your first car?
Would you like to have it back? A baby-blue 1988 Chevy Nova. I don’t miss it at all!
What’s the best thing about living in Los Angeles?
It’s hard to pick just one thing: 1) the diversity of cultures; 2) the incredible food scene. And the worst thing about living in Los Angeles? The cost of living/housing costs make it difficult to recruit and retain top talent.
YEARS ON LA500: 1
