French Hospital Medical Center Announces Patrick Caster as Incoming President & CEO

San Luis Obispo, Calif. (October 19, 2022) - Dignity Health has announced Patrick Caster as the new incoming Hospital President and CEO of French Hospital Medical Center effective November 28, 2022. Patrick will be rejoining the Dignity Health system with 25 years of progressive healthcare leadership experience, including as the former Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Dignity Health - California Hospital Medical Center in Los Angeles.

“I’m excited to be relocating to the San Luis Obispo area and continuing the meaningful work of Dignity Health in this new capacity,” shared Patrick Caster, Hospital President. “Ensuring the community continues to have access to world class healthcare by building upon the significant achievements of the French Hospital team, through bold new initiatives, will be a top priority.”

In his most recent role, Patrick served as the President and CEO for Memorial Hospital of Gardena, in Los Angeles, a 172-bed acute care hospital, where he implemented best practices to improve patient experience and quality outcomes. Prior to serving as CEO, Patrick was the COO at California Hospital from 2017 to 2022, where he chaired the capital committee for the new patient tower and ER project underway. Patrick oversaw all hospital operations and was instrumental to the success of key departments impacted throughout the pandemic, including clinical laboratory, pharmacy, and environmental services. 

“After concluding a nationwide search, Patrick’s depth of knowledge in hospital operations, coupled with his experience managing complex expansion projects, made him the top choice for president of French Hospital,” noted Julie Sprengel, President and CEO, Dignity Health Southern California Division. 

Patrick is a dynamic team leader with a strong reputation for employee development and well-being. In addition to his broad range of experience, Patrick has also been involved in his community, as a board member for the South Bay Workforce Investment Board and the Downtown Los Angeles South Park Business Improvement District. He is looking forward to becoming an integral part of the San Luis Obispo community.

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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.