A long-time leader in the MemorialCare health care system, Diana Hendel, PharmD, was named chief executive officer of Long Beach Memorial and Miller Children's Hospital Long Beach in January 2009.

After obtaining her bachelor's of science degree in Biological Sciences from the University of California, Irvine; and her doctor of pharmacy degree from the University of California, San Francisco, Hendel began her career at Long Beach Memorial, first as a Clinical Pharmacy Resident. She then completed a one year Management Residency before undertaking several progressive leadership roles at Long Beach Memorial and throughout the entire health system. Over the past twenty years, Hendel has held positions on all the MemorialCare campuses, including executive director for MemorialCare and the Physician Society, vice president of Operations at Anaheim Memorial, administrator for the San Clemente campus of Saddleback Memorial and most recently Chief Operating Officer of Long Beach Memorial.

Hendel is a graduate of the California Health Leadership College and is also a graduate of the Memorial Academy—a year-long educational program within the MemorialCare system that identifies leaders within the organization and focuses on healthcare finance, governance, strategy, decision-making and group behavior. She received MemorialCare's prestigious "Living Out Leadership Award" in 2006. In 2010 she received the Press Telegram's Amazing Women of the Year Award for the Health and Wellness/Health Provider of the Year.

Hendel also has more than 10 years of teaching experience, holding the position of Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of California, San Francisco School of Pharmacy and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice at the University of Southern California School of Pharmacy. She has been actively involved in a number of community service organizations such as the Rotary Club of San Clemente, Boys & Girls Club, and Long Beach Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. She is also the mother of two children; a daughter age 8 and a son who is 10.

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