Dear Greater Long Beach Community,
As I near the finish of my first month as CEO of MemorialCare’s Long Beach Medical Center and Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach, I am excited to pen this letter and introduce myself. I had a choice about where to come to work. My decision was thoughtful and deliberate. I chose MemorialCare for many reasons.
MemorialCare has a deep legacy in Long Beach. For 115 years, dedicated employees and physicians have come to work each day to fulfill a collective mission to improve the health and wellbeing of all individuals, families, and our communities. I am honored and deeply humbled to have the opportunity to work alongside them as the leader of these extraordinary hospitals.
Success at hospitals is measured one patient at a time. Although in a year we perform more than 700 joint replacements, treat more than 850 stroke patients, and deliver nearly 6,000 babies, it might be your first. That is why every patient, every time, we must provide you care with a relentless, fervent commitment to the best outcome. My commitment to you is that your moment is our moment and that we will be there delivering the highest quality of care, every time.
hosted by the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce
In my first month I have had the opportunity to listen, observe and interact with many of our physicians and employees and I’ve seen something extraordinary – the halls of these two hospitals are filled with pride. Pride for the exceptional care they provide, pride in the diverse community they serve, and pride in a community that takes care of each other.
There is a lot to be proud of. Long Beach Medical Center is a trauma and stroke receiving center, and is recognized locally, nationally, and worldwide by organizations like US News & World Report, Newsweek, and Healthgrades. Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital is a tremendous asset to the community. It’s one of only eight free-standing children’s hospitals in the state. It is also the only hospital across Los Angeles and Orange County to have the highest level birthcare center and neonatal intensive care unit under the same roof.
Tradition is not enough to sustain us. We must consistently earn your trust and the privilege to care for you. Your experience at our hospitals is important to me. Were you treated as an individual? Not as a patient, not as a medical record or a disease, but as a person.
This is one of the most challenging times health care has ever faced, due to the pandemic. It has presented us with a multitude of challenges, on both professional and personal levels, and MemorialCare is pushing through these challenges.
As I assume this role and lead these hospitals with a strong and experienced leadership team, my goal is to continue to excel, and grow in services the community needs including cardiology, oncology, maternity, and the area’s only stand-alone children’s hospital. We will get even better at being good and we will be great at being great.
My passion for health care comes from my passion for people. The people of our community rely on us, and we will not let them down. I believe that the best work happens when you know it’s not just work, but something that improves people’s lives. I learned quickly that the physicians and staff at our two MemorialCare Long Beach hospitals have that same passion.
I have been married for 35 years. I have two adult children who are still in Utah, and I have two grandchildren. My love for the outdoors and community led me to explore Long Beach and visit the beach, lagoon and the top of Signal Hill (which I have already learned is not technically Long Beach).
January Long Beach Medical Center and Miller Children’s
new employees
Health care will continue to evolve, and the commitment I share with MemorialCare is that we will continue to make a difference for the greater good—with a steadfast dedication to quality and safety.
I am honored to be the CEO of an outstanding organization in a thriving community, and I am energized by what the future holds. I will always put this organization first, and I will always have our mission as my guide.
Gratefully,
Blair Kent
Chief Executive Officer
MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center,
Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach
Chief Executive Officer
MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center, Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach