Los Angeles area hospital management expert Keith M. Hobbs, FACHE, has been named CEO of USC Verdugo Hills Hospital effective Jan. 4. Hobbs comes to USC Verdugo Hills from Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), where he has held multiple leadership positions over the past 20-plus years.

“Keith Hobbs’ skills and experience make him the ideal choice for the position of CEO of USC Verdugo Hills Hospital,” said Thomas E. Jackiewicz, senior vice president and CEO of USC Health. “His long tenure at Children’s Hospital demonstrates a proven track record for strengthening and supporting all aspects of hospital operations – clinical, operational, and financial.”

Hobbs has held multiple leadership and management positions for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), most recently serving as vice president of ancillary services, support services and supply chain. In that role, he was responsible for the operational and financial oversight of the departments of radiology, pathology and anesthesiology critical care medicine, along with supply chain, guest services, environmental services, environment health and safety, security, parking, and all other contracted services at CHLA.

“I’m proud to join the exceptional team at USC Verdugo Hills,” said Hobbs. “I look forward to helping extend their long tradition of delivering the highest level of patient care to the people of Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge and the surrounding foothill communities.”

Previously, Hobbs served as CHLA’s associate vice president of finance, overseeing operating and capital budgeting and turnaround initiatives; administrative director of the department of surgery; and manager of decision support.

“Keith is uniquely suited to help us achieve our mission of providing personalized, high-quality health care to our community,” said Rod Hanners, chief operating officer of Keck Medicine of USC and CEO of Keck Medical Center of USC. “I know from working with him at CHLA that he is a visionary leader and an effective steward of resources, a combination that will help us continue our pursuit of excellent clinical outcomes and superb customer service.”

Before entering the field of health care, Hobbs was a compensation representative for Walt Disney Imagineering in Glendale, and a senior compensation analyst for Security Pacific Corporation in Los Angeles.

“USC Verdugo Hills Hospital is fortunate to bring Keith on board, and we look forward to working collaboratively with him,” said Robert Develle, member of the governing board at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital. “Our patients, our organization and our community will benefit from his guidance.”

Hobbs is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE), and is a Certified Medical Practice Executive (CPME).