Parkland introduced its new CEO on Monday – the first new CEO in thirty years. Dr. Fred Cerise previously headed Louisiana State University’s charity hospital system. This week, Parkland is inviting the public to meet the new CEO at a series of events hosted by Dallas County commissioners.
As the new CEO, Cerise says one of the most important things he can do is hear from the public.
"The purpose of the meetings will be for me to hear from the communities we serve, what are the priorities, what issues do they have with their services, he says, "So I can get my thinking organized as to how to approach this."
Cerise already has a full to-do list. There’s finalizing plans to move into the new Parkland – the nation’s largest hospital construction project – and oversight of quality and safety standards after the hospital almost lost federal funds.
Cerise says managing such a large public safety net system will be a challenge because there are so many moving parts, but he believes Parkland is capable of leading the way on more efficient care.
“What’s here and different than a lot of places," Cerise says, "Is just the breadth of experience and talent within Parkland itself and at UT Southwestern. So I do think there is the ability to really demonstrate innovations and how we can move the needle not only on quality and safety for Parkland but for other delivery systems for the rest of the country.”
Dr. Cerise will be conducting Q&A sessions at the following community forums open to the public:
Monday, March 17, 2014
6 – 8 p.m.
Friendship West Baptist Church
2020 W. Wheatland Road
Dallas, TX 75232
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
6:30 – 8 p.m.
Greater Irving - Las Colinas
Chamber of Commerce Building
5201 N. O’Connor Blvd., #100
Irving, TX 75039
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Eastfield College
Pleasant Grove Campus
802 South Buckner Blvd.
Dallas, TX 75217
Monday, March 24, 2014
6 – 8 p.m.
Richardson Civic Center - Grand Hall
411 W. Arapaho Road
Richardson, TX 75080
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
6:30 – 8 p.m.
Pioneer Event Center
1025 W. Pioneer Pkwy.
Grand Prairie, TX 75051
