Las Vegas Valley hospitals name new leaders

Michelle Swafford

Tuesday, June 21, 2005 | 11:01 a.m.

A few key positions have been filled at Las Vegas Valley hospitals.

Desert Springs Hospital named its acting chief executive as the permanent top boss.

Sam Kaufman was named chief executive of the Universal Health Services Inc.-owned hospital and takes over the helm July 1, hospital spokeswoman Lori Harris said. Kaufman has served as interim chief executive since April when Carl Fitch retired.

Previously, Kaufman served as the hospital's chief operating officer for five years and worked at Valley Hospital for six years in the roles of director of medical records and medical staff and assistant administrator. Desert Springs' chief operating officer position remains open for now, Harris said.

The director of communications for the Valley Health System -- made up of Desert Springs, Valley, Summerlin and Spring Valley hospitals -- is also changing.

Mike Tymczyn left the hospital system last week and will become vice president of communications of St. Rose Dominican Hospitals on July 11. Valley Hospital spokeswoman Gretchen Papez was named as an interim replacement. Tymczyn will replace Andy North, who has served as interim director of communications for about a year. North becomes manager of communications of St. Rose Dominican Hospitals.