Executive Named For The Queen’s New West Oahu Hospital
Susan Murray
Big changes have happened in the past two months for The Queen’s Health Systems.
The company officially acquired the former Hawaii Medical Center West campus from St. Francis Health Care System of Hawaii Dec. 14, 2012, and this month, has named Susan R. Murray as QHS senior vice president, West Oahu region, and chief operating officer of the forthcoming Queen’s Medical Center-West Oahu.
Murray took on her new position Jan. 7. Her duties include coordinating Queen’s development of services and programs for the West Oahu region, as well as overseeing the West Oahu campus and hospital, which is slated to open in early 2014.
“I’m delighted to be a part of the Queen’s ohana, and look forward to working together with the West Oahu community to open The Queen’s Medical Center-West Oahu and provide needed medical services on the Leeward side,” said Murray, a Punahou and University of Hawaii at Manoa graduate.
Previously, she was the Hawaii Regional Hospital administrator and regional vice president for quality, safety and service for Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospital for the last 10 years.
According to Murray, Queen’s goal is to build an active and vibrant presence in West Oahu to serve the large and growing community. The company also seeks to fulfill the mission of its founders, Queen Emma and King Kamehameha IV, to provide quality health care services to Native Hawaiians and all of the people of Hawaii.
Murray plans to meet with community members to discuss concerns and challenges they have faced in regard to health care.
“We are very excited about becoming an integral part of the community,” said Murray, who also is a fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives. “The development of services at The Queen’s Medical Center-West Oahu always will include listening to the needs of the people.
“Everyone I’ve talked to in West Oahu is beyond thrilled that Queen’s is the one that will operate the hospital. We will follow the same Queen’s mission and vision because we want The Queen’s Medical Center-West Oahu to be a hospital the community can be proud of. The standards will be identical to The Queen’s Medical Center on Punchbowl Street.”
Murray began her career in health care more than 20 years ago.
The theme for her work has consistently been one of patient- and family-centered care, and she strives to pay attention to the smallest details in order to ensure each person is taken care of.
Her goal is simple: Put patients first while promoting the culture of Queen’s.
“Susan has over 20 years of experience in a broad array of senior health care executive management and leadership roles on the Mainland and in Hawaii,” Queen’s Medical Center president Art Ushijima stated in a release. “She has specialty, tertiary care, nonprofit, for-profit and fully integrated health systems management experiences, which will be extremely beneficial as we develop our own clinically integrated delivery system. She is clearly aware of the Queen’s mission and values, and will bring that sensitivity in her leadership to the staff and patients at our new campus in West Oahu.”
