Panelists: William Conrad, MD (top row, left side), Margie Herrier (top row, right side), Craig Leach (bottom row, left side), Santiago Muñoz (bottom row, right side)
UCLA Health and the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce co-hosted an expert panel discussion, “Navigating the Intersection of Business and Health Care” on December 10. Panelists included: William Conrad, MD, Interim Chief Medical Officer, Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Centers of San Pedro and Torrance; Margie Herrier, Senior Vice President and Area Manager, Kaiser Permanente South Bay Medical Center; Craig Leach, President and CEO, Torrance Memorial Medical Center; and Santiago Muñoz, Chief Strategy Officer, UCLA Health.
The program began with panelists discussing the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to changes in the ways that medical organizations approach healthcare, including allocation of resources. A plethora of information was disseminated to members during the Q&A portion of the program that was moderated by Tara O’Brien, Director of Public Affairs, Kaiser Permanente South Bay Medical Center, and former Chairwoman of the Board for the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce. Q&A topics included vaccines, homelessness, burnout and mental health, and equity, inclusion and diversity.
The chamber would like to extend thanks and appreciation to the panelists, participating hospitals, and sponsors of the event. “Navigating the Intersection of Business and Health Care” not only shed light on challenges faced by health care facilities due to the pandemic, but it addressed the innovative ways in which health care facilities adapted to a changing landscape while continuing to provide high quality health care to patients.