Laird focusing on collaborations

Who: Diane Laird, 53

Will be: Chief strategy officer at Memorial Care Health System, an integrated delivery system based in Fountain Valley, Calif., effective Jan. 1.

Now: CEO of Greater Newport Physicians, an independent practice association with almost 900 physicians, and Nautilus Healthcare Management Group. Laird founded both organizations, and they became part of MemorialCare Foundation last year.

On partnerships: “A big part of the future will be collaborations. Everything doesn't have to be about a merger.” MemorialCare's collaborations include an accountable care organization developed by Greater Newport Physicians, Blue Shield of California and Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach, Calif., an institution that's not in the MemorialCare system.

On physicians: “Doctors have recognized the need to be part of something bigger. You can't be an isolated entity without continuing to shrink.”

One thing that drives her: She was diagnosed with breast cancer last December and became cancer-free after eight months of treatment. The experience has made her a stronger advocate for access to care and for promoting preventive care and screenings.