El Camino Hospital's new President and CEO, Tomi Ryba, talks about her priorities as she leads the organization into its 51st year and beyond

What led you to accept the position as president and CEO of El Camino Hospital?

El Camino Hospital enjoys a reputation for quality and service, with a commitment to improving the health status of the community. These are the fundamental underpinnings of a great organization. The hospital is technologically advanced, giving both providers and patients access to world-class health care in the heart of Silicon Valley. I was eager to be a part of the innovation and energy of this hospital.

What are your first priorities?

During my first weeks and months on the job, I've spent as much time as possible with physicians, hospital staff, board members and our advisory councils, as well as community leaders. I've listened to questions, responded to concerns and begun what I trust will be enduring relationships.

The board and hospital leadership are in the middle of a strategic planning process that will provide guidance as we enter an era of change and uncertainty. I plan to help position the hospital for health care mandates that will influence how care is organized in coming years. Certainly, no one has full knowledge of what is to come with health reform, but I am convinced we need to test our capabilities in achieving the triple aim of quality, service and reducing total cost of care.

I would also like to assess how El Camino Hospital's services are directly influencing the health status of the communities we serve. We need to partner with others in the community to ensure that we as a health care provider are doing what it takes to meet the lifelong health needs of the people of the community.

Tell us about yourself.

Professionally, I bring experience working with great teams who have developed the infrastructure necessary to consistently deliver high quality and service in partnership with physicians and staff. Personally, I am thrilled to be back in California. My husband, Jim, and I have a blended family of six children. The four eldest are attending college or making their way in careers. We were further blessed five years ago with the adoption of our two youngest children from Guatemala. I can sum it up by saying my life's work is humbling, daunting and complex. What a privilege!

A Distinguished Record

Experience:

• President, United Hospital, st. paul, Minn.; senior vice president, Alina Hospitals & clinics, which oversees United Hospital
• Chief operating officer, U.c.s.F. Medical center
• President, st. Mary Medical center, long Beach, calif.
• chief operating officer, Harborview Medical center, seattle Education:
• Master's degree in health administration, chapman University, orange, calif.
• Bachelor's degree, University of california, riverside Honors:
• Named one of the Most influential women in san Francisco in 2007 and
• 2008 by the San Francisco Business Times for her work at U.C.S.F., including a dramatic turnaround in financial operations and her leadership of the hospital's $1.5 billion expansion project.