Five individuals have been named to new or existing leadership posts at Loma Linda University Health (LLUH), and one has announced his departure.
Ravi Mandapati, MD, recently began his new role as director of the Loma Linda University International Heart Institute. Peter Baker, JD, MBA, began his service to Loma Linda University Health System as vice president for business development. Both started in December 2013.
At the beginning of January, Daniel Fontoura, MBA, took on a leadership role in the areas of wellness and disease prevention for all LLUH enterprises. Richard Rajaratnam, MD, began his duties in December, heading the LLUH office of clinical transformation. His official title is yet to be finalized.
Carolyn Hamilton has been named vice president for philanthropy and began her new role on January 1.
Zareh Sarrafian recently announced his departure from LLU Children’s Hospital, effective January 10.
Ravi Mandapati
For more than a decade, Ravi Mandapati, MD, served as director of pediatric cardiac electrophysiology at Loma Linda University Medical Center. He is professor of pediatrics (cardiology) for LLU School of Medicine. Widely published, his research focuses on mapping the mechanisms of atrial fibrillation and arrhythmias in patients with congenital cardiac disease.
Mandapati is a fellow of the Heart Rhythm Society, as well as a professor of medicine and co-director of the University of California, Los Angeles Cardiac Arrhythmia Center. He completed fellowships in pediatric cardiology and electrophysiology at the State University of New York, Syracuse and Harvard University respectively.
“Dr. Mandapati brings a wealth of experience and leadership skills to the International Heart Institute,” says Mark Reeves, MD, PhD, vice president of institutes for LLUH.
According to colleagues, that includes a passion for high-quality cardiac care and a demonstrated track record of consensus-building. He succeeds Ranae Larsen, MD, as director. During Larsen’s four-year tenure as director, the institute took significant strides toward consolidating clinical services and expanding its regional footprint.
Peter Baker
As new vice president for business development for Loma Linda University Health System, Peter Baker, JD, MBA, is working to create a health care network of physicians and hospitals in Riverside and San Bernardino to assist LLUH in implementing population health management.
Previously vice president for business development at Glendale Adventist Medical Center, he served on a team that helped to launch Loma Linda University Medical Center–Murrieta.
Steven Mohr, MBA, chief financial officer for LLUMC, attests, “Peter brings an openness to learn more about our organization, a focus on mission that links directly with LLUH, and a knowledge base that will cross-pollinate our understanding of the market and business development tools with what he has learned during his time with Adventist Health.”
Daniel Fontoura
As the health care climate in the U.S. shifts toward disease prevention, Daniel Fontoura, MBA, currently senior vice president at LLUMC, has been tasked with the new role of vice president for wellness and chief wellness officer for Loma Linda University Health, bringing together thought leaders across the LLUH enterprise and creating a unified message and brand of wellness and disease prevention.
“There is a great legacy and widespread passion surrounding health and wellness on our campus,” Fontoura points out. “My role will be in helping LLUH develop strategic clarity around the unique and multi-dimensional wellness expertise that exists across LLUH, facilitating the packaging of that know-how, and making it accessible to a community and a world desperately in need of whole-person health and wellness.”
Fontoura believes that LLUH has all of the pieces of wellness and disease prevention. “Now it’s time to put the puzzle together,” he suggests.
His new role of leading enterprise-wide health and wellness efforts has already resulted in many meetings with thought leaders in the health, wellness, and disease prevention domains. “I’m finding an incredible wealth of ideas, energy, and support for system-wide coordination of resources to expand the reach and impact of LLUH,” he observes.
Jill Pollock, administrator of Loma Linda University Behavioral Medicine Center, has agreed to be administrator of University Hospital on an interim basis.
Richard Rajaratnam
Richard Rajaratnam, MD, now leads the clinical transformation efforts for LLUH. In this new role, he will help to integrate health care delivery across all LLUH entities in terms of quality, service, access, and affordability.
Rajaratnam most recently served as medical director of Kaiser Permanente, Riverside, as well as the Southern California Permanente Medical Group (SCPMG). In that role, he managed the entire service area of Riverside County. Prior to that, he chaired the departments of otolaryngology and head and neck surgery for Kaiser Permanente, Riverside, and SCPMG.
Carolyn Hamilton
Carolyn Hamilton recently joined the LLUH department of advancement as vice president for philanthropy. In this new leadership role, she will be responsible for providing leadership to the capital campaign team and managing principal gift relationships.
Hamilton is founding partner of The Hamilton Company, a consulting firm that, for the past 25 years, has served a variety of non-profit organizations, providing fundraising counsel and leadership development for community organizations, as well as education, health care, and worldwide ministries.
Not new to Loma Linda University Health, Hamilton began her career in Loma Linda following graduation from Pacific Union College, working in both philanthropy and public relations.
While in the Loma Linda area, she and her husband founded Inland Temporary Homes, which continues to serve homeless families in the Inland Empire.
Hamilton is a certified fundraising professional (CFRE) and an active volunteer and advocate in the non-profit arena, frequently presenting at national and internation conferences. She has published numerous articles about philanthropy.
Zareh Sarrafian
Zareh Sarrafian, MBA, announced his decision to leave Loma Linda University Health, effective January 10.
Over a span of 20 years at the institution, Sarrafian has held a number of key leadership positions, including recent roles as administrator of Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital and chief administrative officer for Loma Linda University Medical Center.
During that time, he has led in a variety of key initiatives to improve both the operational and financial health of the organization. He has also served as the driving force for organizing LLU Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Big Hearts for Little Hearts Guilds.
Ruthita Fike, MA, chief executive officer for Loma Linda University Medical Center, will assume interim leadership of the Children’s Hospital, working closely with physician leadership and the administrative team.
“On behalf of the entire organization,” Fike notes, “I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Zareh for his unwavering commitment to serving God through his work at Loma Linda.”
She adds, “For years to come, LLUH will benefit from his contributions and countless hours of steadfast service. We wish him well in his future endeavors.”
Richard Hart, MD, DrPH, president of Loma Linda University Health, adds, “Zareh’s leadership and deep, personal commitment to Loma Linda on behalf of the children in the Inland Empire have truly made a lasting difference in many lives.”
Interim position
Judy Storfjell, PhD, senior VP for patient care services/chief nursing officer, has agreed to be administrator of the emergency department on an interim basis.