“I enjoy talking with patients…They’re always surprised to see me.”
Rancho Palos Verdes resident Liz Dunne brings over 20 years of executive healthcare experience to her new role as chief executive of Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance. The former United States Air Force officer is well-known in Southern California’s healthcare landscape.
Previous to joining Providence Little Company, Dunne served as senior vice president and executive officer at City of Hope’s Helford Clinical Research Medical Center. During her tenure, the facility earned a National Cancer Center Institute designation and was named by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top 20 cancer centers in the nation. Prior to that, Dunne was chief operating officer at Anaheim Memorial Medical Center. In 2005, under Dunne’s leadership, the hospital was the only Southern California hospital to be ranked in the top 100 hospitals by a national survey.
“Liz Dunne is a talented healthcare executive with a passion for helping people,” said Michael Hunn, chief executive of Providence Health & Services, Southern California Region. “She embraces the mission and core values of Providence and will bring both vision and strategic thinking in guiding the work of the medical center.”
While working at Anaheim, Dunne partnered with the community to develop the first freestanding comprehensive breast center in North Orange County. She obtained private funding, grants and first-year operating and construction costs totaling over $700,000 in support of underserved women.
“I really looked to see what the community needed and built on that,” Dunne said.
As the new chief executive of Providence Little Company of Mary in Torrance, Dunne said, “I want to build upon our foundation of excellent and compassionate care and expand access to healthcare in our community. My priority is to work with our physicians, focusing on wellness, preventive care, patient safety, outstanding disease site management, and at the same time emotionally connect with our patients.”
Every morning, when Liz Dunne drives to her office, she asks herself, “What are you going to do today that will create an environment where 1. Patients want to receive their care, 2. Doctors want to bring their patients and practice their specialty, and 3. Staff want to work.” At the end of the day, Dunne asks herself, “What did I do to meet these objectives?”
Dunne is the middle of five daughters and one son.
“As a New York longshoreman, my father worked all hours and weather conditions and despite this he loved his job, was very positive, found meaning in his work and was very loving and committed to his family,” said Dunne. “My parents had strong family bonds and believed in commitment and giving back to the community. My grandmother died when my mother was very young, so as an adult, my mom gave of herself to orphaned children and dedicated time to support them.”
Dunne graduated from high school at age 16. She attended Queens College in New York, majoring in nutrition and later became a registered dietitian.
To see the world as well as serve her country, Dunne joined the United States Air Force in 1977.
“I also wanted to gain more responsibility, hone my leadership skills and be able to make a difference by being directly involved in healthcare,” said Dunne who served at Andrews Air Force Base and the USAF Academy, among other locations. In 1991, Dunne was recalled to support Operation Desert Storm for one year. “It was a positive experience because I learned contingency planning, field medicine, mobile hospitalization,” said Dunne. “I also learned the aspects of triaging, acute care medicine and how to support our troops in the field.”
Dunne served 10 years on active duty and 10 years in the Air Force reserves. She retired as a Lt. Colonel.
In 1986, Dunne earned a masters degree in business and computer resource management. She moved progressively into higher management positions in Colorado, Washington, New York, Delaware and California.
“I enjoy talking with patients and connecting with them. They’re always surprised to see me. I have a clinical background and like to discuss their patient experience and what we can do improve,” Dunne said.
Dunne feels that the medical center “is well positioned for the future because of our high caliber physicians and excellent employees. Providence health system is the second largest hospital system and ninth largest employer in Los Angeles County,” said Dunne.
“True to our mission, we will continue to serve the increasing numbers of the needy and vulnerable,” said Dunne. The Vasek Polak Health Clinic in Hawthorne and the Women and Children’s Clinic in Lomita offer care to the uninsured and underinsured. Since 1994, the Partners for Healthy Kids mobile clinic has provided healthcare to nearly 40,000 uninsured children.
“I ask myself, ‘Am I really being effective and making the right impact? I like to be actively engaged in the moment, energized by the meaningful work. It seems that we’re always plugged in with Blackberries and computers. It’s important to stop and be mindful of what you’re doing and be grateful for the connections you have with people.”
“I’m a woman, a mother and a wife – I’ve had to balance all these things and still stay true to my heart and values,” said Dunne.
When Dunne is not working, she enjoys cooking, as well as outdoor activities. She and her husband, Chet Fossum, often hike the hills of Palos Verdes and elsewhere. The couple also cross country ski at national parks.
“Liz is an energetic lady who is very warm and approachable in her relationships,” said Suzi Gulcher, Providence Little Company of Mary Board Chair. “Her thoughtfulness is impressive and she is, indeed, a servant leader.”
Said Dunne, “There were some great women who led this organization in the past – the Sisters. I won’t be able to follow their path exactly, but I hope to continue their legacy. It’s not just a job; it’s my commitment to make a difference in our community.”
