December Wake Up! Newport – President and C.E.O. of UCI Health – Chad T. Lefteris

Chad T. Lefteris is the president and chief executive officer of UCI Health, Orange County’s only academic health system. Lefteris oversees all clinical and patient-care operations, including UCI Medical Center in Orange, consistently recognized among America’s Best Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, the county’s only Level I trauma center and the primary teaching location for UCI School of Medicine.

Lefteris also oversees the UCI Health Community Network, which comprises four community hospitals throughout Orange County and southeast Los Angeles County. UCI Health consists of over 1,300 licensed beds, and 12,000 caregivers who provide more than 1.4 million patient encounters at over 40 locations. Lefteris also oversees UCI Health Ventures, aimed at revolutionizing patient care by investing in healthcare innovation and digital health.

Lefteris joined UCI Health in 2018 as chief operating officer. In that role, he oversaw the daily business operations of the UCI Medical Center, including an acute care hospital, several specialty standalone ambulatory units and other UCI-operated healthcare centers throughout Orange County. He was also responsible for administrative functions, including general and ancillary support services, facilities management, design and construction, information technology and special projects.
Under Lefteris’ leadership, UCI Health has enjoyed a period of rapid growth that includes multiple joint ventures, the first phase opening of the new UCI Health – Irvine medical complex, and the acquisition of four community hospitals and associated entities, all resulting in net revenue doubling over the last five years.

Prior to joining UCI Health, Lefteris served for two decades in various leadership positions at UNC Health, most recently as the vice president of operations of UNC Health Rex.

Lefteris serves on the America’s Essential Hospitals board of directors, Appalachian State University College of Health Sciences Advisory Board, Hospital Association of Southern California Board, Beall Applied Innovations Board, UCI Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute Advisory Board and the Orange County United Way United to End Homelessness Leadership Council.

Lefteris received his bachelor’s degree in business administration and healthcare management from Appalachian State University and his master’s of health administration from the Medical University of South Carolina.