OAKLAND, Calif., May 27, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Alameda Health System (AHS) Board of Trustees appointed Delvecchio S. Finley as Chief Executive Officer during their board meeting Tuesday. Finley will begin his new position in August as the top executive for the $815M integrated public health system that provides essential care to all residents of Alameda County.
Finley currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer for Harbor-UCLA Medical Center; a role he has held since October 2011. Harbor-UCLA is one of only five level one trauma centers in Los Angeles County, a teaching hospital, and the cornerstone of health care services for more than 700,000 residents in the greater south bay area.
"Mr. Finley has exceptional experience well suited for the future of AHS as we move forward into a period of sustainability, growth, and investment in the organization," stated AHS Board President Kirk Miller. "He also embodies the core of the mission, ensuring AHS continues its 150 year history of serving all residents of Alameda County regardless of their ability to pay."
Born in a public hospital and raised by a single mother in public housing in Atlanta, Finley cites his lack of exposure to health care as a motivating factor for his career in public health. "For me, serving people and helping to make sure as many people as possible can get access to high quality and affordable care has always been an interest of mine."
"His commitment to the role of essential providers and the health care safety net resonated with everyone who interviewed Mr. Finley," stated AHS Trustee Michele Lawrence who chaired the board search committee. "This focus is consistent with our mission and critical to members of our community."
Finley is very familiar with the Bay Area having served as the Vice President of Operations at California Pacific Medical Center prior to accepting the top post at Harbor-UCLA. He has extensive experience in public hospitals including serving as a Division Administrator at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) where he was responsible for administrative and financial oversight of several medical subspecialties. He also served as an Associate Administrator at San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center as well as Interim Chief Operating Officer at Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center.
Finley holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Emory University and received his Master of Public Policy at Duke University where he also attained Graduate Certification in Health Policy, Law, and Management. He is board certified in Healthcare Management and he is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE).
He has held several leadership roles in local and national professional organizations, including a three year term as ACHE Regent for the California-Northern and Central Region. He is a Past President of the California Association of Healthcare Leaders (CAHL) and Past President of the Northern California Chapter of the National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE). He is a graduate of the 2007-08 class of Leadership San Francisco and a 2008 Fellow of the National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems.
Finley is a dedicated community advocate as well, having served as a Big Brother in the Big Brother/Big Sisters organization as well as a board member of Out of Site for Arts Education. He also served as a board member for Operation Access, an organization that connects medical volunteers, hospitals, and uninsured patients needing minor operations.
About Alameda Health System (AHS)
Alameda Health System, a major public health care provider headquartered in Oakland, California, is recognized as a world-class patient and family centered system of care with more than 4,500 employees, 1,000 physicians and 480 volunteers. Their facilities include Highland Hospital, a major regional trauma center and teaching hospital; Alameda Hospital, an acute care facility providing emergency, in-patient and outpatient services in Alameda; San Leandro Hospital, which provides emergency and in-patient hospital care services; John George Psychiatric Hospital, an acute and emergency care facility in San Leandro; Fairmont Hospital, an acute rehabilitation hospital and skilled nursing facility, also in San Leandro; and four ambulatory wellness centers in Oakland as well as in Newark and Hayward.