Saddleback Memorial Names New Medical Director of Women's Hospital

John E. Elliot, MD

Saddleback Memorial Medical Center has named John Elliott, M.D., as the new medical director of the Women's Hospital. Dr. Elliott is relocating to Laguna Hills from Phoenix where he was assistant director of maternal fetal medicine at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center and medical director of the AirEvac Maternal Transport Program.

“I am pleased to bring my nearly 30 years of experience in improving women’s healthcare to Saddleback Memorial,” said Dr. Elliott. “I look forward to building on the hospital’s reputation for safe vaginal birth after a previous cesarean (VBAC) and expanding its ability to care for high order multiple gestations (triplets, quads and quints)”.

Dr. Elliott has been extremely active in obstetrical research having authored 100 articles and 24 chapters in Medical Journals and books. Dr. Elliott’s research interests include multiple gestations, preterm labor, prematurity prevention and tocolytic drugs (to stop labor). He is invited to present his research at numerous medical meetings across the country.

The Women's Hospital at Saddleback Memorial is the only facility of its kind in South Orange County and has welcomed more than 50,000 babies in just over 20 years. The hospital specializes in high risk and multiple births and includes a state-of-the-art neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

"We are thrilled to welcome someone of Dr. Elliott's caliber to the leadership team at Saddleback Memorial and look forward to his contributions to further our commitment to best-practice medicine and exceptional care," said Steve Geidt, CEO of the hospital. "His experience and research will help ensure women in our community continue to have access to the most advanced maternal care possible," he added.

Dr. Elliott completed his fellowship training in Perinatology or high-risk obstetrics at UCI/Long Beach Memorial Medical Center. He will be involved in teaching medical students, residents in OB/GYN and fellows training in perinatology at both UCI and Long Beach.

Dr. Elliott succeeds David Lagrew, MD, who was recently appointed Chief Medical Informatics Officer at MemorialCare Health System.

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A 325-bed hospital with locations in Laguna Hills and San Clemente, Saddleback Memorial Medical Center has been working to enhance the health and well-being of South Orange County residents for over 30 years. In addition to 24-hour emergency care, Saddleback Memorial offers complete critical care, an exceptional Women’s Hospital and an array of inpatient and outpatient surgical services. Saddleback Memorial is part of MemorialCare, a system of not-for-profit, community based medical centers. For more information, please visit memorialcare.org/saddleback.