CHIEF EXECUTIVE, PRESIDENT, MEMORIALCARE HEALTH SYSTEM
DAY JOB: Head of Fountain Valley-based health system with collection of area hospitals that bring in close to $3 billion in revenue. 200-plus care locations in Orange County and Los Angeles. Built an organization that emphasizes more than 200 locations for outpatient care, while leaving its four hospitals to concentrate on the critically ill. Largest nonprofit healthcare system based in OC.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: System’s MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, Fountain Valley-based MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center were among busier area hospitals at onset of coronavirus pandemic. Four of MemorialCare’s Southland hospitals participated in a program studying the potential medicinal benefits of using plasma from recovered COVID-19 victims on other critically ill coronavirus patients. Opened a drive-thru coronavirus testing station for its members at a shuttered San Clemente hospital.
NOTABLE: Joe Kiani’s Patient Safety Movement Foundation in February presented MemorialCare with its highest honor, the 5-Star Hospital Award, in recognition of its “steadfast commitment to patient safety and quality of care.” It’s one of only six health systems in the U.S. to receive the award.
QUOTABLE: Speaking to Business Journal in late March, allayed fears of surge in local cases. “We live in a community that offers exceptional healthcare close to home. Whether you seek care at MemorialCare or another health system, you are getting among the best the world has to offer.”
FAST FACT: MemorialCare Health System has its own private equity fund with about $80 million. “We invest in companies that we believe can contribute value in healthcare,” said Arbuckle, who is chairman of the equity fund. “It either reduces cost, improves the quality of the patient experience or ideally does both.”
2020 HOBBY: “Going to the lake for wakeboarding and wakesurfing.”
