New CEO Announcement

The Lompoc Valley Medical Center Board of Directors has selected Stephen Popkin as its new Chief Executive Officer.

The LVMC Board of Directors has extended Mr. Popkin an employment offer and are currently in final negotiations. The board anticipates details of the final contract will be discussed and approved at the Board’s regularly scheduled meeting Oct. 25.

Starting in 2019, Mr. Popkin will replace retiring CEO James Raggio. Mr. Raggio has held the top leadership role at the healthcare district since 1998 and was first employed at Lompoc hospital in 1980.

Mr. Popkin is currently Chief Executive Officer of Parkview Community Hospital Medical Center, a non-profit 193-bed acute care community hospital; a Level 3 neonatal intensive care unit; a bariatric surgery unit and a joint replacement center.

LVMC Board Chairman Ray Down said the board conducted a comprehensive national search for a new CEO, with an emphasis on California hospital executives.

“Mr Popkin brings extensive experience as a community hospital administrator in Southern California,” Mr. Down said. “His interactions with his hospital staff and medical staff indicates that he has the skills to continue to move forward with the strategic initiatives underway at LVMC as well as provide expertise in other activities that will contribute to improving the healthcare delivery system in the Lompoc Valley. We look forward to him joining our system in January 2019.”

Mr. Popkin has more than 32 years of experience in senior health care management, including 18 years in Chief Executive Officer positions.

"When I became aware of this opportunity, it checked all of the boxes I was looking for, namely the chance to be part of a close-knit community, and expand and enhance its access to high quality healthcare,” Mr. Popkin said. “From what I see, LVMC has had excellent leadership, and I look forward to building upon that to help LVMC reach the next level in service to its patients and to its community."

In his career, Mr. Popkin has worked with for-profit and not-for-profit hospitals, healthcare systems, medical groups and management services organizations. He has expertise in hospital operations, quality of care improvement, physician/medical staff relations and managed care.

Mr. Popkin earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from California State University at Fullerton and his Master of Business Administration degree from California State University at Los Angeles.

Mr. Popkin has a tentative start date of January 2019.

Mr. Down gave the board’s thanks to Mr. Raggio for his willingness to extend his employment through the end of the year.

“The leadership Mr. Raggio has provided has been instrumental in making LVMC one of the most respected hospital districts in California,” Mr. Down said.