Health & Fitness
Grossmont Healthcare District Names New CEO
The district serves as landlord of Sharp Grossmont Hospital and owns the property and buildings on behalf of East County taxpayers.
LA MESA, CA — A veteran health-care executive will be the new CEO of the Grossmont Healthcare District, the public agency supporting health- related programs and services in East San Diego County.
Christian Wallis will have a two-year contract beginning May 17. Wallis will succeed outgoing CEO Barry Jantz, who retired March 31 after 16 years of service.
A Navy veteran, Wallis has more than 27 years of leadership experience in the health-care field in the private sector, the federal government and international healthcare settings.
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He most recently served as regional/state vice president of health information technology support services for Advocate Aurora Health in Illinois. He also served as the vice president of operations for Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, Illinois.
Wallis holds a doctorate in healthcare administration from Central Michigan University, an MBA from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a bachelor's in political science from the University of Arizona.
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"We're looking forward to the healthcare leadership that Christian will bring to our district." said Virginia Hall, district board president. "His experiences will make a strong impact on our delivery of community health benefit through partnership with Sharp Grossmont Hospital and support of community-based health services for East County residents."
Christian grew up in Northern California and his wife, Michelle, was raised in Mission Viejo. He started his Navy career in San Diego and two of their children were born at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton.
"I am very grateful to the Grossmont Healthcare District Board of Directors for selecting me as the new CEO," Wallis said. "This is a great opportunity to help provide the necessary health and wellness needs to the 500,000 residents in our community as well as work alongside a well-respected hospital to ensure high quality care is delivered to our beneficiaries."
The district formed in 1952 to build and operate Grossmont Hospital. It serves as landlord of Sharp Grossmont Hospital and owns the property and buildings on behalf of East County taxpayers. The district is governed by a five-member board of directors who represent more than 500,000 people residing within 750 square miles.
— City News Service