CLEARLAKE — St. Helena Hospital ? Clearlake is preparing for yet another change, this time in leadership. Beginning early February, the hospital will operate under the direction of new president/CEO.
JoAline Olson, who has held the position for the past three years, has been named vice president of clinical innovation for Adventist Health, the hospital”s parent healthcare system. Terry Newmyer will be vacating his position at Florida Hospital in Orlando, reportedly the largest hospital in the country, to assume the duties of president/CEO of St. Helena Hospital ? Clearlake and its sister facilities, St. Helena Hospital in Napa County and the St. Helena Center for Behavioral Health in Vallejo.
“It”s been an honor and privilege to lead our hospitals and serve our communities,” Olson said. “I”m excited that I will still be able to support our organization locally and across three states in a different role.”
Olson has served several leadership positions at St. Helena Hospital during her 20-year tenure, 11 of which she held the position of president/CEO. Among the most fulfilling accomplishment realized under her direction she said was combining the leadership of St Helena Hospital ? Clearlake with the Napa County hospital in order to maximize resources and improve services and care for Lake County residents.
“I”ve really enjoyed working with the combination board. When I became the regional CEO we combined governing boards and formed one governing board for both hospitals and the entire market,” Olson said. “I think it”s been very successful. We”ve gotten all members of the board to look at Napa and Lake as one. We have not duplicated services and we have maximized resources across the two hospitals.
“For example,” Olson continued, “we have one person over quality. We have one person over patient financial services. So, we have been able to leverage expertise and talent to benefit the whole system. What has been fulfilling is how much we”ve been able to accomplish once we got that structure in place. We have everybody looking out for everybody.”
Olson has directed a $10 million investment in Lake County that includes doubling the size of the emergency department. “We are near completion with the infrastructure at St. Helena Hospital ? Clearlake that was needed so we could begin construction of our new emergency department,” she said. Construction is reportedly scheduled to begin in April.
Additional investments under Olson”s direction include the construction of a new family health center in Kelseyville that is expected to open in March; construction and opening of a multi-specialty medical office in Hidden Valley Lake; and the remodeling of the hospital”s surgery suites and front entrance.
To the south, Olson has led the funding and construction of the first comprehensive cancer treatment center in the North Bay, which is expected to open this fall on the St. Helena Campus in Napa County and serve residents of Lake County and beyond.
Olson said she does not foresee any adversities in the transition. “I think it is gong to be a very positive and seamless transition for the staff. With new leaders there is always change, but that is what is so great about it,” she said. “Linda Gibson”s (senior vice president of operations) leadership will continue, which will provide continuity for the staff and the community.”
In her new role, Olson will be based in St. Helena and will be responsible for spearheading innovations at St. Helena Hospital that can be replicated at other Adventist Health facilities including the hospital in Clearlake. Her duties will include overseeing the new Martin O”Neil Cancer Center, implementing a broad patient experience initiative and working with the St. Helena Center for Health to further develop destination, preventive health and wellness programs that attract clients from around the world. Olson will also lead a system-wide effort to improve philanthropic efforts at all 18 Adventist Health hospitals.
“We are pleased that JoAline has accepted this new position for the Adventist Health system. Her past experience as both a patient care executive and president/CEO will bring a wealth of insight and expertise as we redesign the patient experience and leverage our Adventist heritage of health wellness,” Scott Reiner, senior vice president of Adventist Health said.
Olson said she looks forward to the challenges ahead. “I”ve been CEO for 11 years and I”m always interested in new challenges,” she said. “While I loved being CEO, this gives me an opportunity to replicate innovation in other hospitals and continue to have an influence on the Napa/Lake region. I look forward to using my creative energy to improve healthcare.”
Olson said she feels confident with the appointment of Newmyer, who reportedly held key roles at Florida Hospital. According to a press release issued by Adventist Health, Newmyer led a $100 million campaign while serving as chief development officer of the hospital foundation and secured alliances worth more than $90 million with companies such as Walt Disney World, GE Philips and Nike as the hospital”s senior vice president for business development.
“I”m very pleased with the appointment of Terry Newmyer as CEO and he shares our passion for excellent, high-quality patient care,” Olson said. “I am sure that he will not only see the projects we”ve started through to completion but will be instrumental in beginning many new projects.”
