Kona Community Hospital Names New CEO
For Immediate Release
KONA COMMUNITY HOSPITAL NAMES NEW CEO
July 30, 2020 - Kealakekua, Hawaii – James “Jim” Lee has been appointed the new Regional CEO of Kona Community Hospital starting August 10, the organization announced today. Lee will oversee operations and management of the 94-bed, full-service acute care hospital, which employs 540 staff members and 100 medical providers.
Lee served most recently as interim hospital administrator at Kaiser Permanente Moanalua Medical Center on Oahu. Under his leadership, the hospital maintained excellent ratings related to patient satisfaction, quality and safety, including an “A” rating for Leapfrog’s Hospital Safety Grade, a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, a Stroke Gold Plus award from theAmerican Heart Association/American Stroke Association, and Healthgrades’ Outstanding Patient
Experience award.
Lee spent 10 years in management consulting, first with Deloitte, then with PricewaterhouseCoopers,
before focusing his career in health care administration. He served in various leadership positions at
hospitals and health organizations throughout the New York region, including New York University
Langone Medical Center, Our Lady of Mercy Medical Center, New York Presbyterian/Lawrence Hospital
and Westchester Medical Center in New York.
“Jim has a solid track record of bringing together employees and building a culture centered on patient
experience and quality care,” said WHR Board Chair, Frank Sayre, DDS. “His leadership will be invaluable
in reaching our long-term goals and vision for Kona Community Hospital and improving access to high
quality, patient-focused health care in our community.”
Lee attended Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, New York, where he received his bachelor’s degree
in economics. He received his Master of Business Administration with a focus in health care
administration and finance from Cornell University, S.C. Johnson Graduate School of Management. He is
an active member and former board member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, and also
served as chair of the organization’s Asian Healthcare Leaders Forum. In his spare time, Lee enjoys
snorkeling, playing golf, cooking and traveling with his wife and two daughters.
About Kona Community Hospital - Founded in 1914, KCH is a 94-bed full-service acute care hospital with
24-hour emergency department recently designated as a Level III trauma center supporting the west
region of the island of Hawaii. It is a member of the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, a special agency
of the state of Hawaii established in 1996. It is fully accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation
of Healthcare Organizations. KCH is dedicated to providing and enhancing accessible comprehensive
healthcare services to the West Hawaii community.
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