BRUCE HAWTIN

Bruce Hawtin has been involved with St. John’s Health since the ’70s and ’80s when he served as one of the original hospital trustees.

Former St. John’s Health Trustee

Bruce recalls that during his time on the board, Tommy Frist Jr., cofounder of the Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), came to the board with an offer.

“He said HCA would like to buy St. John’s Hospital, make it a for-profit hospital for 20 years. And then promises to give it back. The board decided unanimously to keep St. John’s an independent hospital.”

Bruce says it was the best decision they made during the 12 years he was on the board. Instead of joining with HCA, they hired their own administrator and invested in their own independent leadership.

Bruce is quick to give credit to the entire board for their mindful decisions in those early decades. He feels proud having witnessed St. John’s Health evolution into the quality, community hospital it is today. “It’s about us. We did all this together,” he said.

“We are a community that is very demanding, and through St. John’s Health our expectations are met. I know I am in good hands. I continue to support St. John’s because we need it to have a healthy community,” he said.

The Board decided unanimously to keep St. John’s an independent hospital.