Two seasoned healthcare professionals have joined Children’s Hospital of Orange County’s executive leadership team, each tasked with driving key initiatives which will continue to transform the pediatric healthcare system into a leading destination for children’s health.
Karen Costello joined CHOC April 15 as its vice president of Enterprise Master Plan, and Jacqlyn Smith began April 22 as its vice president and chief strategy officer.
“I am thrilled for Karen and Jacqlyn to share their time, talent and expertise with CHOC, where they work alongside the most compassionate and dedicated group of physicians and leaders to serve the bravest patients and families,” said Kim Milstien, CHOC’s executive vice president and chief operating officer.
Said Paul Van Dolah, CHOC’ s executive vice president and chief transformation officer: “Karen and Jacqlyn join us at a pivotal juncture in CHOC’s story. Both will play a critical role in developing and operationalizing CHOC’s ambitious growth plan. I am pleased to welcome them both to CHOC.”
Bringing a wealth of design and construction experience, Costello will lead the design, construction and occupancy of projects under CHOC’s Enterprise Master Plan, an expansive 10-year initiative involving new construction and the renovation of existing spaces, primarily on CHOC’s campus in Orange, Calif.
Before joining CHOC, Costello served as senior principal for facilities design and construction for Hoag in Newport Beach. Previously, she was a senior project manager for Jacobs Construction. She holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture from UC Berkeley.
“I am honored to join CHOC during this significant moment of expansion and growth,” Costello said. “I look forward to partnering with CHOC’s mighty brigade of professionals and clinicians as we work toward growing and enhancing not only CHOC’s physical footprint but also the enterprise’s impact on children and families.”
In Smith’s new role as Chief Strategy Officer, she will shape and lead business development and partnership efforts in support of strategic initiatives, including enterprise growth and development, new programs and business ventures, market intelligence and planning, strategy activation, corporate partnerships, and other strategic relationships.
Before joining CHOC, Smith served as chief strategy officer for Children’s Hospital of Michigan and the women and children’s strategy lead for the Detroit Medical Center. She earned a master’s degree in public health from Boston University School of Public Health.
“An opportunity to help advance CHOC’s strategic initiatives is a dream,” Smith said. “I look forward to working across the enterprise on a collaborative effort to achieve CHOC’s vision of becoming a leading destination for children’s health by providing exceptional and innovative care.”
