Francisco Velázquez, M.D., Named CEO of Pathology Associates Medical Laboratories

Francisco “Frank” R. Velázquez, M.D., has been named chief executive officer of Pathology Associates Medical Laboratories, Spokane, WA, which is co-owned by CHI and Providence Health & Services in Spokane. Dr. Velázquez, MD, will begin on January 23, 2012, replacing long-time PAML executive –Tom Tiffany, PhD.

Dr. Velázquez brings an outstanding background to his new role as CEO PAML. He is an experienced physician executive with a strong clinical background and business leadership skills. He holds a medical degree from the University of Central del Caribe School of Medicine in Bayamon, Puerto Rico; completed fellowships in both anatomic pathology and laboratory medicine; is board certified in clinical pathology; and holds a master’s degree in Healthcare Management & Policy from Harvard University.

Dr. Velázquez comes from Quest Diagnostics where he served as managing director of Nichols Institute and managing director/vice president for Focus Diagnostics in San Juan Capistrano and Cypress, California. He had direct oversight for the reference laboratory testing business at both laboratories as well as the clinical trials at Focus Diagnostics. Nichols Institute and Focus Diagnostics have both been selected as Top Places to work in Orange County for three consecutive years. Prior experience includes executive, faculty and medical leadership roles at universities in Texas and Boston, Massachusetts.

“During our time with Dr Velázquez, his dedication and commitment to excellence in patient care and quality was clear,” says Mike Wilson, chief executive for Providence Health Care. “We found that he leads with integrity and had earned the respect and support from his previous management teams, which is essential to Providence. “

Dr. Tiffany will work alongside Dr. Velázquez during the first quarter of 2012 to ensure a smooth transition. In his 24 years with PAML, Dr. Tiffany’s leadership has resulted in profound contributions to the Spokane community. PAML is ranked among the top clinical orientation laboratories in the nation and is considered an industry leader in joint venture partnerships with community-based hospitals. It is a founding member of PACLAB Network Laboratories, which is one of the most successful laboratory–hospital ventures in the United States. PAML also has six other joint venture partnerships throughout the United States including large operations in the Tri-Cities region and in Boise, Idaho.

About Catholic Health Initiatives: Catholic Health Initiatives is a national nonprofit health organization with headquarters in Englewood, Colo. The faith-based system operates in 19 states and includes 73 hospitals; 40 long-term care, assisted- and residential-living facilities; two community health-services organizations; two accredited nursing colleges; and home health agencies. In fiscal year 2011, CHI provided more than $612 million in charity care and community benefit, including services for the poor, free clinics, education and research. With annual revenues of approximately $9.6 billion, CHI is the nation's third-largest Catholic health care system.

About PAML
PAML, a full service medical reference laboratory located in Spokane, WA is owned by two of the nation's largest healthcare systems - Providence Health & Services (the owner of Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center and Holy Family Hospitals) and Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI). One of the top reference laboratories in the country, PAML is also considered an industry leader in joint venture partnerships with community-based hospitals because of their expertise in developing cutting-edge laboratory management systems, including state-of-the-art automation and support services. PAML is a co-founder of PACLAB Network Laboratories, which provides laboratory services throughout Seattle and western Washington, and is a partner in several other hospital-based laboratory joint ventures including Alpha Medical Laboratory serving northern Idaho; Tri-Cities Laboratory serving central Washington; treasure Valley Laboratory serving southern Idaho and northeastern Oregon; and MountainStar Clinical Laboratories serving Utah. For more information, visit the PAML website at www.paml.com

About Providence Health & Services
Providence Health & Services is a not-for-profit, faith-based organization with health care and other services extending across five states - Alaska, Washington, Montana, Oregon and California. working in service to their communities, Provider's more than 45,000 employees work in 27 acute care medical centers and hospitals, more than 35 non-acute facilities, physician clinics, a health plan, a liberal arts university, a high school and numerous other health, housing and educational services. In total, Providence provided $509 million in charity care and other community benefits in 2008 and the organization generated net operating revenues of $7 billion. In eastern Washington, Providence Health Care (PHC) is a regional network of 11 health care organizations including Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center & Children's Hospital, Providence Holy Family Hospital, Providence Mount Carmel Hospital in Colville and Providence St. Joseph's Hospital in Chewelah. In addition, PHC ministries include Providence VNA Home Health Care, Providence Emilie Court Assisted Living, Providence St. Joseph Care Center & Transitional Care Unit, Providence Adult Day Care, Providence Physician Services, and PAML medical laboratories.