EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) –– Las Palmas Medical Center has named Alejandro “Alex” Romero as its new chief executive officer, succeeding Don Karl, who recently retired after nine years as the hospital’s CEO and nearly two decades as the hospital’s chief operating officer.
Romero assumed his new role on June 3, the hospital announced in a news release sent out on Tuesday, June 11.
Prior to joining Las Palmas Medical Center, Romero served as chief operating officer at Del Sol Medical Center, where he started his career in 2008 as the director of outpatient services. Romero returned to his hometown of El Paso last year after serving as the chief executive officer at HCA Florida Poinciana Hospital in Kissimmee.
“Alejandro’s knowledge of the El Paso community, as well as his extensive experience with HCA Healthcare, makes him an ideal candidate for this role,” David Huffstutler, CEO of Las Palmas Del Sol Healthcare, said. “We look forward to the contributions he will make to Las Palmas Medical Center, and we are confident that his leadership will help us continue to provide quality care to the greater El Paso community.”
During his time in Florida, Romero led a $30-million expansion of a 94-bed acute care hospital to include additional critical care beds and a new freestanding emergency department. He also worked to create a post-operative bariatric unit and achieved a Top 5% Unit of Distinction in perioperative and emergency services from HCA Healthcare, according to the news release.
Prior to this role, Romero served as the chief operating officer and ethics and compliance officer of Methodist Hospital Metropolitan in San Antonio, where he launched a heartburn and reflux program, created a 12-bed dedicated bariatric unit, led a $6-million cath lab renovation and secured $2.3 million for neurology equipment for the operating room, according to the news release.
“I am deeply honored to lead Las Palmas Medical Center and to continue to serve my hometown community,” Romero said. “I look forward to working alongside this talented team as we continue to provide the highest level of care to the community I love so dearly.”
Romero earned his master’s degree in business administration from the University of Texas at El Paso and has a bachelor’s degree in business marketing from the University of Phoenix. He is also a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
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