As MemorialCare Health System continues to advocate for sustainable healthcare policy and forge strong government relationships to advance community health, it named Kristen Pugh as Vice President of Advocacy and Government Relations to lead efforts in this arena.
Pugh brings 22 years of experience in developing and implementing government and community strategies on the local, state and national levels; leveraging federal and state funding opportunities; and informing and educating policyholders, elected officials and other key stakeholders on pressing issues.
The advocacy and government relations team Pugh will lead monitors legislation affecting MemorialCare, promotes understanding of legislation and communicates public policy implications. The team also acts as a catalyst for constructive dialogue among lawmakers and MemorialCare hospitals, physicians, outpatient and community-based programs to ensure adequate funding and sensible healthcare legislation.
“Kristen’s tremendous expertise and accomplishments on all levels of government and with key constituents throughout Southern California will help ensure communities we serve can access high quality, affordable healthcare,” says MemorialCare General Counsel Terri Cammarano.
Additionally Pugh will further elevate the profile of Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach and identify opportunity to support the unique services it offers.
“As one of the nation’s 10 largest children’s hospitals and a pioneer in pediatric, perinatal and neonatal medicine, Kristen will focus on advancing our mission, legislation and funding support,” says John Bishop, CEO of Long Beach Memorial, Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach and Community Hospital Long Beach.
“I’m honored to join MemorialCare, which for decades has been in the forefront of transforming healthcare and promoting legislative and government programs that benefit the health of children and adults,” says Pugh.
Recently Pugh was Executive Director for Federal Research Relations at University of California, Irvine where she built a broad network of legislators, agency officials and industry stakeholders to advance research funding. She previously spent a decade as Associate Vice President of Government and Community Relations with City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Center working on cancer care policy and legislation. She served as Chair of the Association of American Medical Colleges Government Relations Representatives Steering Committee and Associate Director of Federal Government Affairs for American Association of Nurse Anesthetists. She holds a master’s degree in public administration from George Mason University and a bachelor’s degree in government and politics from University of Maryland.
With more than 200 care locations throughout Orange and Los Angeles counties, MemorialCare Health System is a nonprofit, integrated delivery system including five top hospitals – Long Beach Memorial, Miller Children's & Women's Hospital Long Beach, Community Hospital Long Beach, Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center in Fountain Valley and Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in Laguna Hills; MemorialCare Medical Group; Greater Newport Physicians; Seaside Health Plan; and numerous ambulatory surgery, imaging, kidney dialysis, urgent care and outpatient health centers. For more, visit memorialcare.org.