Dignity Health Announces New Woodland Memorial Hospital President

Long time nursing leader named new hospital President and CEO

WOOLAND, Calif. (November 29, 2021) – Today, Dignity Health announced Gena Bravo as the new Woodland Memorial Hospital (WMH) President and CEO. Gena, who was recently serving as Interim President, was previously the hospital’s Chief Operations Officer and Chief Nurse Executive. She also served as a longtime nursing leader at Dignity Health sister hospital Mercy General Hospital in downtown Sacramento where she was responsible for the facility’s financial and operational areas of nursing care, quality management, regulatory affairs, and patient experience. 

“In Gena’s four years at Woodland Memorial, she has contributed to the hospital’s operational excellence, outstanding patient experience and helped to cultivate and nurture a special company culture where every employee feels as if they’re part of a family vs. a job,” said Dr. Todd Strumwasser, Northern California Division President for CommonSpirit Health. “It is Gena’s invaluable experience, grit and determination that made her a perfect fit for the role.”   

Nearly one year ago, as vaccination efforts ramped up across the Sacramento region to eligible tier groups, Gena led a group of Woodland Memorial Hospital leaders and Yolo County employees as one of the region’s first mobile vaccine efforts. The group took to the streets week after week catering to a population that included low-income households, homebound seniors, people experiencing homelessness and migrant farm workers. In similar fashion, Gena also rallied leaders and staff in an effort they coined ‘no one dies alone’ as COVID-19 ravaged local skilled nursing facilities. The group took an unofficial oath to ensure, outfitted with the appropriate personal protective equipment, they were there for every patient in their final moments when family was not permitted. 

“I am so honored to be able to serve in this new capacity and join the other few but fierce female healthcare CEO’s across the country - a number that stands at only 13-percent in the U.S.,” said Gena Bravo, Dignity Health Woodland Memorial Hospital President. “There continues to be much work ahead of us as we face one of the most challenging times in healthcare, but the WMH team has proven its resilience time and time again. I am proud to lead this courageous and hardworking team and I am committed to supporting this hospital and community in every way possible, as I am confident that together we can tackle anything.” 

Amongst the many responsibilities ahead of Gena she shares her key focuses will include continuing the tradition of excellent care, as a way to recognize the legacy of strong leaders and excellent outcomes Woodland is known for. 

Gena currently also serves as a trustee on the Woodland Healthcare Foundation Board and was recently appointed as a Partnership Commissioner by the Board of Supervisors for Yolo County. This past November, Gena was also one of 44 women recognized at Congressman John Garamendi’s (D-CA) 8th annual Women of the Year event that spotlighted women that made significant contributions to society through public service, business, education, and local advocacy. 

About Dignity Health

Dignity Health is a multi-state nonprofit network of 10,000 physicians, more than 60,000 employees, 41 acute care hospitals, and 400-plus care-centers, including community hospitals, urgent care, surgery and imaging centers, home health, and primary care clinics in Arizona, California, and Nevada. Dignity Health is dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality, and affordable patient-centered care with special attention to the poor and underserved. Dignity Health is a part of CommonSpirit Health, a nonprofit health system committed to advancing health for all people and dedicated to serving the common good. For more information, please visit our website at www.DignityHealth.org.