Hoag President and CEO Named Among Fifty Most Influential Physician Executives in Healthcare

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., May 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Hoag today announced that Richard Afable, M.D., M.P.H., president and chief executive officer of Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, was named to Modern Healthcare and Modern Physician's "50 Most Influential Physician Executives in Healthcare." The annual list is among the highest honors for physician executives and recognizes physician executives that have earned the respect and admiration of their peers.

The selection process involved reader nominations from readers of the two prominent health care trade publications. More than 11,700 nominations were received for this year's list, up from nearly 11,300 received last year. The 100 names receiving the most nominations were placed on the final ballot, which was available online for readers to vote on. Nearly 152,000 votes were cast this year, more than double last year's 69,800.

Dr. Afable was recognized for his notable leadership at Hoag, ranked among the top five percent of hospitals nationwide in orthopedic care and cardiac services by HealthGrades. Dr. Afable joined Hoag in 2005 and under his leadership and direction, Hoag has established core strategies to achieve the 2016 vision of establishing Hoag as a leading hospital in California, renowned for its excellence, specialized health care services and exceptional physicians and staff.

"This recognition represents the hard work and dedication of Hoag physicians, nurses and staff, as they are the engine that drives us forward. I'm fortunate to have the opportunity to work with this team," said Dr. Afable. "Only with their support can Hoag achieve our vision for the next decade—to deliver the highest quality care to the communities we serve through the integration of our most treasured resources including our people, technology and innovative spirit."

Formerly, Dr. Afable was the Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Catholic Health East, an East Coast health system comprised of 31 acute care hospitals and 47 long-term care facilities. Before joining Catholic Health East, Dr. Afable was the founder and President/CEO of Preferred Physician Partners (PPP), an Ohio-based physician practice management company that supported physician groups and provider networks. He has also served as an Associate Professor of Medicine at Wake Forest University from 1991 to 1996 and as Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at Northwestern University from 1983 to 1991. Early in his career, Dr. Afable spent ten years in private practice in Chicago, specializing in internal medicine and geriatrics.

Dr. Afable received his B.S. degree from Loyola University in Chicago and an M.D. from the Loyola Stritch School of Medicine. He obtained his M.P.H. degree from the University of Illinois School of Public Health and a certificate in business administration from Villanova University.

About Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian

Hoag is a not-for-profit regional health care delivery network in Orange County, Calif. that treats nearly 30,000 inpatients and 350,000 outpatients annually. Hoag consists of two acute-care hospitals, seven health centers and a network for more than 1,300 physicians, 5,000 employees and 2,000 volunteers. Hoag Hospital Newport Beach, which has served Orange County since 1952, and Hoag Hospital Irvine, which opened in 2010, are designated Magnet hospitals by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Hoag offers a comprehensive mix of health care services including Centers of Excellence in cancer, heart and vascular, neurosciences and women's health, and orthopedics through Hoag's affiliate, Hoag Orthopedic Institute. National Research Corporation has endorsed Hoag as Orange County's most preferred hospital for the past 15 consecutive years. And for an unprecedented 15 years, residents of Orange County have chosen Hoag as the county's best hospital in a local newspaper survey. Visit www.hoag.org.

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SOURCE Hoag