Palomar Health promotes Hemker to CEO

Later this summer, Bob Hemker will leave his finance role and become the top leader of Palomar Health.

Hemker, 59, has served as CFO of the Escondido, Calif.-based system for the past 13 years and has more than 30 total years of healthcare experience. His tenure as president and CEO of Palomar Health will commence Aug. 15.

Hemker will replace Michael Covert, who has led Palomar Health since 2003. Earlier this month, Covert announced he will be leaving the organization to become CEO of CHI St. Luke's Health in Houston.

“The opportunity to continue executing the strategic direction and focus developed under Michael's legacy is appreciated,” Hemker said in a statement. “I look forward to working during this time of unprecedented change in healthcare with our board, leadership, medical staff and employees to strengthen the future for Palomar Health in serving the health needs of our patients and community.”

Palomar Health, a public health district with two hospitals across three campuses, opened its new 288-bed, $956 million hospital in Escondido in 2012. Last year, the system posted more than $650 million in revenue.

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