El Centro, CA, November 16, 2022 -The Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that Healthcare Management Partners, LLC (HMP), a healthcare industry-leading turnaround management and financial advisory firm, has been retained to fill two key executive management roles at El Centro Regional Medical Center.
Scott Phillips, Managing Director, of HMP, will serve as the new Chief Executive Officer, and Derek Pierce, Managing Director, of HMP, will fill the currently vacant position of Chief Financial Officer. The announcement was made by Interim City Manager Cedric Ceseña on behalf of Mayor Tomas Oliva, and the other members of El Centro City Council, acting as the ECRMC Board of Trustees. The selection of Phillips and Pierce is effective today, Wednesday, November 16, 2022.
Mr. Phillips brings over 35+ years of executive experience, including serving as Chief Executive Officer of a number of different hospitals and hospital systems ranging from a 636-bed university hospital, an eight-hospital system operating in six states, and a 179-bed county-owned hospital in a rural community. Mr. Phillips is a former national healthcare partner with Touche Ross & Co (now Deloitte) and is the Founder of HMP. In the latter capacity, he has directed the successful turnaround of dozens of hospitals and other healthcare provider organizations.
Scott has deep expertise in the organization and delivery of high-quality healthcare services and his leadership is focused on building upon existing organizational strengths to attract the support of the local community including medical and nursing staff, which is essential for the long-term provision of quality healthcare services.
Mr. Pierce has over 20+ years of professional expertise in the healthcare industry, including serving in roles as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Restructuring Officer, Director of Reimbursement, court-appointed examiner, and financial compliance auditor and financial advisor.
He has audited, managed, and consulted with all types of healthcare providers including government-owned, community not-for-profit, academic, and investor-owned entities. He is a nationally recognized expert in the areas of patient revenue cycle, third-party contracting, and Medicare and Medicaid rules and regulations.
“We are excited to work with Healthcare Management Partners and to have Mr. Phillips and Mr. Pierce as part of the leadership team at El Centro Regional Medical Center,” said Mayor Tomas Oliva. “They are both proven and results-oriented leaders in the healthcare industry and we are confident that this partnership will allow us to expertly navigate and lead through the challenges ECRMC and the broader healthcare industry now face to make our hospital more efficient and financially sustainable.”
No hospital services will be interrupted through this process. As Mr. Phillips has stated, ECRMC has a bright future and will continue to meet the healthcare needs of the community.
The Board of Trustees and the City will continue to work with the UC San Diego Health Care Network to enhance the care that Imperial Valley residents and their families have grown accustomed to receiving. The excellent care provided to the community by the dedicated doctors, nurses, allied healthcare professionals, and support staff at the Hospital will continue and as always is much appreciated. The new CEO and CFO have committed to transparency with staff and the community as the process of transition proceeds.
In closing, the Board of Trustees would like to thank Adolphe Edward, DHA, for his years of service to ECRMC and his many contributions during his tenure, including his nationally recognized leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Point of Contact:
Cedric Ceseña
Interim City Manager
(760) 337-4540
ccesena@cityofelcentro.org
