Lompoc Valley Medical Center Announces Leadership Changes

Lompoc Valley Medical Center is pleased to announce several key leadership changes. 

Chief Executive Officer Yvette Cope announced the hiring of Brian Smolskis as the hospital district’s Chief Operating Officer. Smokskis began his new role on Sept. 4. 

“Brian brings with him over 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry and a remarkable track record in leadership roles,” Cope said. “His wealth of knowledge and experience makes him a valuable addition to our organization.” 

During the past decade, Smolskis held multiple leadership positions with PIH Health, a three hospital 1,157-bed system headquartered in Whittier, California. Those positions included President of PIH Health Physicians, Chief Operating Officer of PIH Hospital-Downey and System Chief Operating Officer. 

Smolskis earned a Bachelor of Arts in accounting from Franklin & Marshall College and a Master of Business Administration degree in Information Systems from California State University at Long Beach. 

“We are confident that his leadership will be instrumental in guiding us towards continued success and excellence,” Cope added. 

Cope also announced a number of other key leadership promotions at the hospital. 

Melinda DeHoyos, MSN, was named Executive Director of Nursing. 

“Melinda brings over 13 years of experience at LVMC, with more than eight years of progressive leadership experience,” Cope said. 

DeHoyos’ roles have included Labor and Delivery Department Lead Nurse, House Supervisor, Nurse Educator, and her current position as Director of the Medical-Surgical Department and Labor and Delivery.  

“Melinda has been instrumental in the implementation of our Dialysis Program, leading our nursing leadership team’s policy and procedure committee, and spearheading the implementation of our DAISY and BEE staff recognition programs,” Cope said. 

DeHoyos earned a Master of Science in Nursing Leadership and Management and holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She also completed a Nurse Executive intensive program through the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL), gaining certification in Executive Nursing Practice in 2023. 

Lindsey Arevalos has been named Senior Director of Operations. Arevalos has more than nine years of experience at LVMC, including roles as Project Coordinator, Director of Food and Nutrition Services and Director of Materials Management. 

“Lindsey has been instrumental in leading the District Supplemental Programs, securing funding to introduce new services to the Lompoc community,” Cope said. “Notably, in 2021, she leveraged funding from the CenCal Health Behavioral Health Initiative to launch the Lompoc Health Behavioral Health Program. In 2023, she further secured funding to bring a Patient Navigator to the Emergency Department to support patients with substance use disorders.” 

Arevalos holds a Master of Healthcare Administration with a Specialization in Operations, a Master of Science in Agriculture with a Specialization in Food Science and Nutrition and a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition with a Minor in Psychology.  

Additionally at the acute hospital, Ellisa Valencia, RN, was named Director of the Medical-Surgical Department. Valencia has held leadership roles since 2020 and has been involved in the development and implementation of the hospital’s hemodialysis program. She is a member of the STAR Committee, working to improve overall quality of care. 

Valencia holds an Associate degree in nursing from Carolina Technical College in South Carolina and is furthering her education by working toward a bachelor’s degree in nursing. 

Registered Nurse Angela Fichtner has been named as Manager of the hospital’s Labor and Delivery Department. She has been a nurse on the unit since 2017. 

Fichtner earned a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from California State University and has received numerous certifications in Labor and Delivery, including RN Certified-Inpatient OB, RN Certified-Maternal Newborn, and Certification in Electronic Fetal Monitoring.