Valley Presbyterian Hospital Announces Changes to Board of Directors

VAN NUYS, Calif. --(Business Wire)--

Valley Presbyterian Hospital (VPH) today announced that David W. Fleming has retired as chairman of the Board of Directors after more than 20 years in the role. Dr. Greg Kay, who serves as a board director, will assume the role of chairman, effective Dec. 1.

David W. Fleming retires as Valley Presbyterian Hospital Board chair after more than 20 years of service. (Photo: Business Wire)

Fleming was elected to be a non-voting member of the board as chairman emeritus. He was appointed to the VPH board in 1977 and served on the bylaws and compensation committees. He was appointed chairman in 1988 and later became the hospital's first $1 million pledge. The Health Education Center at VPH is named in honor of Fleming and his wife, Jean.

"It has been a privilege to lead this organization through very challenging times in the health care industry," Fleming said. "Jean and I will continue to support Valley Presbyterian Hospital with our time and financial resources."

Fleming is counsel at Latham & Watkins, one of the world's largest law firms. For the past 40 years, he has devoted more than 70,000 hours of service to civic, community, charitable, and government organizations and has won numerous local, regional, and national awards.

"I'm grateful to Dave for helping to guide this organization the past 24 years," said Gustavo Valdespino, president and CEO of VPH. "He has been a great leader, and we appreciate the many contributions he and Jean have made to position Valley Presbyterian Hospital to serve the community through quality health care."

Dr. Kay, who was unanimously elected to succeed Fleming, has been a member of the VPH board since 2006. He also serves on the senior management team for Natural Balance Pet Foods, Inc., a San Fernando Valley-based international company.

Dr. Kay received his M.D. degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and trained with one of the pioneers in cardiac surgery, Dr. Denton Cooley, at the Texas Heart Institute at the Baylor School of Medicine in Houston. Dr. Kay was regarded as one of the premier heart surgeons in Los Angeles before he stopped practicing cardiac surgery in 2004. Dr. Kay and his father, Dr. Jerome H. Kay, pioneered techniques for repairing rather than replacing heart valves - techniques that now are accepted as standards of care by cardiac surgery centers across the country.

"I'm looking forward to helping the hospital transition through health care reform as it continues to serve the critical health care needs of the San Fernando Valley community," Dr. Kay said. "Dave was a great role model, and I have big shoes to fill as I follow in his footsteps as chairman."

About Valley Presbyterian Hospital

Founded in 1958, Valley Presbyterian Hospital is a non-profit and nonsectarian hospital serving the medical needs of the San Fernando Valley community for more than 50 years. VPH has grown to become one of the largest acute care hospitals in the San Fernando Valley and continues to provide patient-centered care for a healthier community. The 350-bed facility offers leading-edge technology and a full range of medical services. With 500 physicians representing virtually every specialty and most sub-specialties, VPH provides state-of-the-art treatments to improve and save lives. For more information, visit www.valleypres.org

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