A CEO to Know – San Diego Business Journal

SAN DIEGO – Palomar Health President and CEO Diane Hansen is officially someone to know. That’s according to Becker’s Hospital Review, the leading publication for hospital news.

Hansen was named to the Becker’s 2024 list of “Women Hospital Presidents and CEOs to Know” – an annual list of hospital leaders showing dedication to bettering their organizations for patients and providers.

Hansen has led Palomar Health through a period of transformation. Becker’s Hospital Review addresses these achievements and transformative initiatives led by Hansen, and the impact she had on the healthcare system and the community. Most recently, Hansen led a unique and novel transformation of how Palomar’s leadership is governed by putting the health system’s C-Suite under a new nonprofit entity.

“It is a true honor to be recognized by such a distinguished organization like Becker’s Hospital Review,” Hansen said.. “Our growth as a healthcare system is a testament to our strong dedication to serving our communities through initiatives and reimagining our patients’ healthcare experiences.”

Hansen has more than 20 years of experience in healthcare and has been recognized as one of the Top Women Leaders of San Diego by San Diego Business Journal in 2023 and CEO of the Year by ACHD in 2021. Some of Palomar’s notable accomplishments achieved under her leadership include:

Financial Growth: Palomar Health has experienced a substantial increase in total gross revenue, with a remarkable +17.7% growth.
Patient Enrollment: Palomar Health Medical Group saw a significant increase in patient enrollment, with a +5% growth due to the strategic marketing efforts reaching the local market segments.
Community Impact: Palomar Health’s initiatives and partnerships have not only improved the community’s access to extraordinary care but have also positively impacted the hospital’s overall performance and reputation. Palomar Health has entered many new partnerships with organizations that specifically help targeted patients, allowing the healthcare system to meet the ever-growing needs of patients. For example, to improve women’s services, Palomar Health entered a partnership with TrueCare and Vista Community Clinic (VCC), to bring maternity care to lower-income patients. To improve Home Health Care services, Palomar Health entered a partnership with Archer Health and Care Choice. To support the growing needs of patients who need behavioral healthcare, Palomar Health is also opening a new behavioral health unit with 120 beds and is expected to open soon.
Physician/Nurse Attraction: Palomar Health is now attracting hundreds of physicians from some of the highest-ranking healthcare organizations in the market, further enriching the medical staff through programs like the Nurse Incentive Program, which awarded nurses up to $100,000 within a three-year period.

Palomar has also been recognized with numerous awards under Hnasen’s leadership, including:

World’s Best Hospital by Newsweek, six years in a row.
Best Maternity Hospitals by Newsweek, two years in a row.
Patient Safety Excellence Award by Healthgrades in 2023.
Surgical Care Excellence Award by Healthgrades in 2023.
America’s 100 Best Joint Replacement by Healthgrades, 2016 – 2023.
America’s 100 Best Orthopedic Surgery by Healthgrades, 2017 – 2023.
America’s 100 Best Spine Surgery by Healthgrades in 2023.
America’s 100 Best Stroke Care by Healthgrades, 2022 – 2023.
Best Regional Hospitals by U.S. News and World Report, 2022 – 2023.
High Performing in Maternity Care by U.S News & World Report: 2022 – 2023.
Top General Hospital Award for the Palomar Medical Center Poway in 2023 by The Leapfrog Group.
“A” Hospital Safety Grade at both Escondido and Poway campuses by The Leapfrog Group in 2023. (This was the first time both hospitals achieved an “A” grade in the history of the organization.)
District Hospital of the Year by ACHD in 2022.