Carlsbad Resident Selected as Palomar Health's New President

Palomar Health stayed in-house in selecting its new president and chief executive, promoting Chief Financial Officer Robert Hemker to the position, the healthcare organization announced today.

Hemker was Palomar's CFO for 13 years and had a stint as interim CEO in 2002.

The Carlsbad resident will succeed Michael Covert, who is leaving for the Catholic Health Initiatives St. Luke's Health System in Houston, on Aug. 15.

"Bob has the level of experience and background to lead Palomar Health through these challenging times," said Ted Kleiter, chairman of the Palomar Health Board of Directors. "With his leadership in the financial arena and his close working relationship with the executive management team and medical staff leadership, he was a natural choice."

Palomar Health, which has overcome several years of significant labor disputes, recently joined a care network operated by the Mayo Clinic.

Palomar Health operates Pomerado Hospital and the nearly $1 billion Palomar Medical Center in Escondido, which opened two years ago.