San Andreas, Calif. – Oct. 12, 2017 – Bob Diehl, President and CEO of Mark Twain Medical Center (MTMC), has been named to the advisory committee of the University of the Pacific’s new Physician Assistant Studies Program, Dignity Health announced today. Diehl brings more than 25 years of executive health care leadership to the committee, and further solidifies a partnership between the university and MTMC.

Bob Diehl, President and CEO of Mark Twain Medical Center

“It is tremendously helpful to have such a proven leader who brings a diverse portfolio of health care experience to the advisory team,” said Jessica Garner, clinical director and assistant professor for University of the Pacific’s Physician Assistant Training Program. “At a time when our health care delivery system is facing many challenges, Bob brings an unparalleled level of expertise. We’re very pleased to have his support to further strengthen our program.”

Diehl’s addition to the advisory committee comes when California is facing challenges to meet the growing demand for highly trained health care professionals. California is expected to face a shortfall of 4,700 primary care clinicians (medical doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants) by 2025.1

Under Diehl’s leadership, MTMC has added or expanded hospital services in oncology, imaging, interventional radiology, physical therapy/rehabilitation, urology, and gastroenterological procedures. Additionally, MTMC now offers a skilled nursing facility-level “swing bed” program as a patient alternative to nursing homes.

“I see this new role as a mutual benefit to both organizations,” said Diehl. “There is an opportunity for MTMC to help grow the pipeline of local talent through local residents’ enrollment in this program. Calaveras County residents who are interested in exploring successful jobs in health care like becoming a physician assistant now have a great new option, close to home. MTMC is also looking forward to hosting students at our hospital and in our clinics during their second year of the program as an externship site. It’s my hope that we will have students who fall in love with Gold Country, just like so many of us have.” concluded Diehl.

Diehl’s career includes prominent hospital roles with Dignity Health, Providence St. Joseph Health, Tenet Healthcare and as a consultant with the health care practices of Ernst & Young and Stockamp & Associates. He has held executive level positions in strategic services, operations, and quality/performance improvement, working with 24 hospitals across seven states.

Prior to joining MTMC in 2016, Diehl was vice president, operations at Providence St. Joseph Health; Queen of the Valley Medical Center, a 205-bed acute-care hospital in Napa with $230 million in annual revenues. As vice president of operations from 2011-2016, Diehl oversaw a $21 million budget and led operational oversight in a wide range of areas, including home health/hospice, engineering, facilities, bio-med, synergy medical wellness center and food service. As vice president, quality & strategic services in 2010-2011, Diehl coordinated two key projects: the launch of a new neurosurgery program in conjunction with UC San Francisco and the planning and launch of an urgent care center as part of the hospital campus.

Diehl earned a Master of Health Administration from the University of Southern California, School of Policy, Planning, and Development and holds a Master of Business Administration from University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business.

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About Dignity Health
Dignity Health, one of the nation’s largest health care systems, is a 22-state network of more than 9,000 physicians, 62,000 employees, and 400 care centers, including hospitals, urgent and occupational care, imaging centers, home health, and primary care clinics. Headquartered in San Francisco, Dignity Health is dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality, and affordable patient-centered care with special attention to the poor and underserved.  In FY16, Dignity Health provided $2.2 billion in charitable care and services. For more information, please visit our website at www.dignityhealth.org. You can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

About Mark Twain Medical Center
Founded in 1951, Mark Twain Medical Center is a 25-bed, critical access hospital providing inpatient acute care, outpatient services and emergency services. The Medical Center’s Medical Staff represents a broad range of specialties that ensure access to high quality medical care in a rural community. In addition to being a major provider of health services, Mark Twain Medical Center is also one of the area’s largest employers. More than 300 people are employed at the hospital and its five Family Medical Centers. The Medical Center is a member of Dignity Health, the fifth largest not-for-profit healthcare system in the nation. For more information, please visit our website at www.marktwainmedicalcenter.org. Mark Twain Medical Center is also on Facebook.