Dignity Health Announces Retirement of Alan Iftiniuk, President and CEO of French Hospital Medical Center

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA – June 2, 2022 – After nearly 22 years of dedicated service, Alan Iftiniuk, President and CEO of Dignity Health - French Hospital Medical Center will conclude his esteemed tenure later this year. Alan has been instrumental in bringing technological and clinical advancements to San Luis Obispo County, and his pursuit as a community health care advocate leaves a legacy that will benefit the hospital’s staff, physicians, volunteers, and most importantly, its patients for years to come. 

Alan began his career with Dignity Health as a leader in San Francisco in 2001, before being appointed President and CEO of French Hospital in 2004. Under Alan’s leadership, the hospital has experienced tremendous growth with significant physician recruitment, the expansion of clinical services, and successful alliances, acquisitions, and partnerships. Additionally, Alan has been influential in the philanthropic efforts of the hospital, raising $58 million since the inception of the French Hospital Medical Foundation in 2005. 

“Alan has a well-known history of creating a culture of quality that has ensured the delivery of compassionate care to the community of San Luis Obispo for decades,” shares Julie Sprengel, President and CEO, Dignity Health’s Southern California Division. “As he prepares for retirement, he leaves the hospital strongly positioned for continued growth and success.”

During Alan’s tenure, French Hospital has become an award-winning, nationally recognized medical center, including: The Copeland, Forbes, and Rossi Cardiac Care Center, the Hearst Cancer Resource Center, the Oppenheimer Family Center for Emergency Medicine, the Stollmeyer Family Birthing Center, the George Hoag Family Hybrid Surgical Suite, the Copeland Health Education Pavilion, and the Swanson Family Chapel. On the horizon, the new French Hospital - a monumental transformation that plans to include an 85,000-square-foot patient care tower with private patient rooms, a Level III NICU, an expanded intensive care unit, an interfaith chapel, parking tower, and heliport. 

“I have been fortunate to serve as President and CEO for more than two decades and I am proud of countless accomplishments through the years,” states Alan Iftiniuk, President and CEO, French Hospital Medical Center. “One of the most rewarding successes has come in recent times with the Beyond Health fundraising campaign, aimed to raise $30 million for the new hospital expansion project. In total, $17 million has been raised to date, which will serve the community well into the future, ensuring a lasting legacy of our commitment to the health and wellness of the people of San Luis Obispo County.” 

Over the past 20 years and under Alan’s leadership, French Hospital has consistently received national recognition for many clinical and safety benchmarks including: Top 100 Hospital in the Nation by Truven Health Analytics, Straight A Ratings for hospital safety by Leapfrog Group, a Top Maternity Hospital in the Nation by Newsweek, and Top 10% in the Nation for Patient Safety by Healthgrades, to name a few. 

With years of philanthropic endeavors, local partnerships, and community service, Alan’s many contributions to the success of both the hospital and the community it serves are unmatched. Alan serves on countless local not-for-profit boards, and he has developed a meaningful and impactful relationship with California Polytechnic State University. 

French Hospital Medical Center is a part of Dignity Health’s Southern California Division. National recruitment for the hospital’s new CEO is underway. 

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About French Hospital Medical Center

French Hospital Medical Center is a state-of-the-art, 112-bed acute care hospital located in San Luis Obispo, California. French’s Oppenheimer Family Center for Emergency Medicine is the area’s most advanced emergency services center. The modern facility is home to the Copeland, Forbes, and Rossi Cardiac Care Center, is the county’s premier cardiac center, providing the latest cardiac and imaging technology, and the Hearst Cancer Resource Center offering free education, resources and support to cancer patients and their families. 

French Hospital Medical Center together with Arroyo Grande Community Hospital in Arroyo Grande, and Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria, make up Dignity Health Central Coast, a network of hospitals, physicians, and outpatient services including physician offices, ambulatory surgery centers, technologically-advanced laboratories and imaging centers, and a full service home health agency.