Scott Evans appointed CEO of USC’s hospitals

Scott Evans, a respected health care administrator who has served in leadership roles at USC hospitals for a decade, has been named the new CEO of Keck Hospital of USC and the USC Norris Cancer Hospital, both a part of the Keck Medical Center of USC.

With administrative experience that includes leadership as director of pharmacy and chief operating officer at Keck Hospital (formerly USC University Hospital) and Norris Cancer Hospital, Evans has been at the forefront of numerous milestone achievements, including USC’s historic purchase of both hospitals from Tenet Healthcare Corp., major improvements to hospital operations and the development of measures aimed at significantly enhancing patient care.

“We are confident that Scott’s experience, foresight, commitment and vision will build our hospitals’ reputation as leading, innovative and patient-driven facilities,” said Tom Jackiewicz, senior vice president and CEO of USC Health. “At this transformative time for the Keck Medical Center of USC, Scott will play an integral role in propelling our academic medical center to the forefront of care from Southern California to around the world.”

Evans, who has served as interim CEO of the hospitals since January, recently oversaw the opening of the Keck Medical Center of USC Pasadena, a state-of-the-art medical office that is home to more than 50 Keck School of Medicine of USC faculty physicians. His experience also includes serving as executive administrator for medicine and operations at Keck Hospital, focusing on the growth and development of hospital clinical operations.

“I’m proud to play a role in building our reputation as one of the most innovative and dynamic medical centers in the United States,” Evans said. “From the exceptional faculty physicians to our caring and compassionate nurses and staff, we all share a commitment to excellence. We do life-changing work here, we never settle for less than the best, and my goal is to further strengthen our foundation for greatness.”

During his tenure at USC, Evans has developed an impressive record reflecting his commitment to enriching Keck Medical Center of USC’s reputation for world-class medical care. He spearheaded efforts to significantly improve efficiency and quality care in perioperative services, as well as created an Evaluation and Treatment Clinic, which provides patients with 24-hour access to Keck Hospital. He oversaw critical initiatives to reduce medication errors and supported productive labor negotiations while fostering unity and teamwork throughout all levels of the organization.

“On behalf of all of our faculty physicians, I welcome Scott’s leadership and expertise,” said Don Larsen, chief medical officer of the Keck Medical Center. “He understands the critical role of our physician leaders and has established a reputation as a problem solver. I’m confident that our hospitals will thrive under his watch.”

As CEO, Evans serves on the executive leadership team of the medical center. He also holds an appointment as associate dean for Academic Medical Center programs in the USC School of Pharmacy, underscoring his enthusiasm for education, teaching and mentorship.

“Many great hospitals work closely with a great medical school,” said Keck School Dean Carmen A. Puliafito. “I look forward to collaborating with Scott to highlight the important work of our clinical enterprise and educate tomorrow’s leaders in medicine.”

Evans joined USC University Hospital (now Keck Hospital) in 2004 as director of pharmacy services and residency program director for the School of Pharmacy’s acute care residencies. As an adjunct member of USC’s faculty, he developed several key pharmacist positions including specialists in psychiatry, infectious disease and ambulatory care transplantation. Under his direction, the hospital was recognized by the National Patient Safety Congress for a patient-safety project related to tele-pharmacy services in California.

“Scott’s tireless attention to patient safety is one of the reasons that our reputation commands increasing respect in the community,” said Vaughn Starnes, chief of surgery at the medical center. “The welfare of our patients is his greatest concern, proven by the many initiatives he has championed on their behalf.”

Evans has a wide range of administrative experience that includes responsibilities in the areas of radiology, clinical lab, medical staff administration, respiratory care, quality and outcomes management, and risk management. His tenure includes being named associate administrator for professional and quality services for Keck Hospital and Norris Cancer Hospital. In this capacity he created a Clinical Authorizations Center with an emphasis on chemotherapy reimbursement in the outpatient setting.

“Scott has developed the important skill of working effectively over all levels of our organization,” said Edward Crandall, chair of the Department of Medicine at the Keck School. “His dedication to collaboration and teamwork across the clinical enterprise has earned him the respect and support of all our clinical department chairs.”

That respect is echoed by Inderbir Gill, chair of the Department of Urology.

“I have known Scott for the past three years. He is dynamic, he is visionary and he is a can-do person,” Gill said. “I know that under his leadership, he will bring renewed energy to the Keck Medical Center of USC enterprise. We look forward to closely partnering with him.”

Evans received his Doctorate of Pharmacy in 1998 from the USC School of Pharmacy, with postgraduate residency training at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the School of Pharmacy. He is currently in the Executive Master of Health Administration program at the USC Price School of Public Policy.