President, Chief Executive, Dignity Health – Glendale Memorial

Welton is the president and chief executive of Dignity Health – Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center, a position she has held since June 2018. Established in 1926, the 334-licensed bed facility has 1,000 employees and upwards of 500 physicians representing all major specialties. Under Welton’s leadership, the hospital earned its first-ever Five-Star Quality Rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and has twice won a Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade A. It was one of the first drive-through Covid-19 testing sites for Los Angeles County.

President, UCLA Health; Chief Executive, UCLA Hospital System; Associate Vice Chancellor, UCLA Health Sciences, UCLA Health Sciences

Spisso has served as president of UCLA Health, UCLA Hospital System CEO and Associate Vice Chancellor of UCLA Health Sciences since 2016. In these capacities, she’s charged with overseeing all operations of UCLA’s hospitals and clinics as well as the health system’s regional outreach strategy. Earlier this year, UCLA acquired West Hills Hospital and Medical Center. It has been renamed UCLA West Valley Medical Center. Prior to joining UCLA, she spent 22 years at UW Medicine in Seattle. During her tenure, she served in a number of roles, including chief nursing officer, chief operating officer, chief health system officer and from 2007-2016 as vice president of medical affairs for the University of Washington. While there, Spisso played a key role in expanding collaborations with regional hospitals and in the operational integration of two major community hospitals into UW Medicine. She also was instrumental in leading the development of a statewide trauma system.

President, Adventist Health Simi Valley

Swenson has been the president of Adventist Health Simi Valley since 2015. Since joining the organization, Swenson has focused on growing high-quality services to keep patients close to home. Under her leadership, the hospital achieved its first Leapfrog “A” grade in 2019. Swenson has more than 30 years of experience in the health care industry. Before joining Adventist Health in 2015, Swenson served as corporate vice president for Kettering Health Network in Ohio. She was also the president of Fort Hamilton Hospital (now Kettering Health Hamilton) in Ohio.

Chief Executive, Pharmavite

Boutelle has served as chief executive of West Hills-based Pharmavite since 2017. The company has been a pioneer in the health and wellness industry for over 50 years. Boutelle has led the expansion of Pharmavite’s portfolio through the acquisitions of urinary tract health brand Uqora and Bonafide Health. He also oversaw the launch of Nature Made Wellblends in 2022. Prior to joining Pharmavite, Boutelle was the president and CEO of Beech-Nut Nutrition, where he led the reinvention of its baby food business. He’s also held various leadership positions at Abbott Nutrition and University Hospitals in Cleveland as well as serving as vice president of marketing for Nestlé USA and as brand manager for Procter & Gamble.

Founder, West Valley Hearing Center

Rosner founded the Woodland Hills-based hearing center in 2001. Rosner is a licensed doctor of audiology and hearing aid dispenser who is a member of both the American Academy of Audiology and the California Academy of Audiology. Since 2008, she has been seeing U.S. veterans for their hearing needs. She also specializes in the diagnoses and treatment of tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and dizziness. She has a passion for animals and volunteered in New Orleans in 2005 following Hurricane Katrina, where she and 21 volunteers rescued cats and dogs.

Chief Executive, Mission Community Hospital

Theiring has served as chief executive officer of Mission Community Hospital in Panorama City since April 2011. It opened in 1923, making it the oldest hospital in the San Fernando Valley. The hospital operates a 60-bed inpatient acute care and behavioral health services unit, which is one of the largest in L.A. Prior to joining Mission Community Hospital, Theiring was the controller at Kindred Hospital Los Angeles. He serves on the board of the Valley Industry & Commerce Association and on the board of trustees at Saybrook University. He was previously on the board of the Hospital Association of Southern California. Theiring earned a bachelor of science in business administration, accounting from California State University, Northridge.

Chief Executive, Valley Presbyterian Hospital

Valdespino was appointed president and chief executive of Valley Presbyterian Hospital in Van Nuys in September 2009. The nonprofit and nonsectarian facility is one of the largest acute care hospitals in the region, with 350 beds. It’s dedicated to assisting diverse and challenged communities in the San Fernando Valley. Valdespino has over 40 years of hospital management experience. Prior to joining Valley Presbyterian, he was senior vice president of operations for Tenet Health Corp.’s Southern California region. He was also president and chief executive of St. Vincent Medical Center and chief executive of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Orange County. He’s received a number of accolades, including an Up and Comers award from Modern Healthcare.

Chief Executive, President, Arcutis Biotherapeutics

Watanabe has been the president of Arcutis Biotherapeutics since 2016, and became chief executive the following year. The company’s dermatology drug development platform focuses on unmet needs in the treatment of immune-mediated skin diseases, including plaque psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis and scalp psoriasis. Prior to starting at Arcutis, Watanabe was co-founder and chief operating officer at Kanan Therapeutics, a cardiovascular drug development company, and before that he served as vice president of strategy and corporate development at Kythera Biopharmaceuticals. From 2005 to 2013, Watanabe was an executive at Amgen, where he was involved in the development of Repatha and Aimovig.

Chief Executive, Antelope Valley Medical Center

Mirzabegian has been chief executive of Antelope Valley Medical Center since 2019. It’s not the first time he’s held the position of chief executive at AVMC. He was chief executive from 2007-2013 and chief operating officer for two years before that. During his first tenure, he played a pivotal role in transforming the facility’s financial standing from an accumulated $18 million loss in 2007 to a $24.6 million profit by the end of fiscal year 2010. Prior to his return, he was corporate chief executive of a health care system. He serves on the board of the Hospital Association of Southern California.

Chief Executive, HealthNet of California

Ternan is president and chief executive of Health Net, a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corp. He joined Health Net in September 2019 and is currently charged with overseeing its commercial and government businesses in California. He has more than 25 years of health plan experience in commercial, labor and group Medicare business. He previously served as the commercial plan president for Anthem Blue Cross of California. He also spent nine years at Aetna, where he most recently held the position of president of its Western region. Prior to Aetna, he worked for Mercer HR.