Desert Regional Medical Center
1150 North Indian Canyon Drive, 92262
Desert Regional Medical Center logo

Desert Regional Medical Center

Main Information
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 Main Information:

Facility Type: Short Term Acute Care
Ownership: Proprietary
Accreditations: The Joint Commission
Teaching Hospital: Yes
Room Types: Private
Year Hospital Opened: 1948
Languages Spoken by Staff: Interpretive Services, Multilingual, Translator Avail on Request

 Description:

Desert Regional Medical Center – The Hospital You Trust to Care For Those You Love. Our vision is to be the Hospital where: Patients CHOOSE to get their care; Physicians CHOOSE to practice; and Employees CHOOSE to work. Our core values include: Patient Focus (The patient's care and safety always comes first with us), Accountability (We are duty-bound and may be depended upon to meet our obligations), Compassion (We value kindness and empathy, and seek to comfort. We are humane and public spirited), Continuous Improvement (We commit to systematically refining our work to achieve measurable progress in meeting the highest standards of effectiveness and efficiency), Diversity (We honor the uniqueness and dignity of every human being), Innovation (We are life-long learners in our chosen field and continually seek to find new and better ways of carrying out our responsibilities), Integrity (We are honorable and upright in meeting our responsibilities. We seek to be bold in doing what is right), Joy (We go about our work with cheer, good nature, and enthusiasm. We celebrate uplifting and heart warming events with our patients and their families, and with one another), and Teamwork (We choose collaboration, and show respect and fairness to our stakeholders, and for one another's opinions).As the regional medical center – and the only designated Level II Trauma center – in the area, we are dedicated to the continuous improvement of the health and well-being of the communities we serve. We offer a broad array of quality specialty services, including a Comprehensive Cancer Center, Maternal Fetal Medicine Center (for high-risk pregnancies), and the area's only Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Other specialties we are proud to offer include the Bariatrics program, the Institutes of Clinical Orthopedics and Neurosciences, and the area's only Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation unit. Additionally, we are known for our Diabetes Education, the Health Key Plus Senior program and Healthy Beginnings maternity program. Desert Regional Medical Center is fully accredited by The Joint Commission (TJC), the nation's oldest and largest hospital accreditation agency. The Language Line® Over-the-phone Interpretation Service enables you to communicate clearly with our customers, in more than 170 languages, within a matter of seconds. Our services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from any phone in the hospital. We offerr experienced interpreters that are trained and certified to meet the specific needs of Desert Regional Medical Center. Language Line Services is used to help bridge the language gap, quickly and conveniently, day or night, anywhere in the world.

 Location, Maps & Directions:

Locations, Address, Phone

 Hospital Leadership:

Karolee Sowle, FACHE

Speciality: President & Chief Executive Officer
Desert Regional Medical Center
1150 North Indian Canyon Drive
Palm Springs, CA 92262
(760) 323-6774

Education
• Master of Science in Nursing, University of Wisconsin, Madison
• Master of Business Administration, University of Wisconsin, La Crosse

Biography
Karolee M. Sowle, FACHE is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Desert Regional Medical Center, a regional tertiary and trauma hospital in Palm Springs, CA. She joined the hospital in 1997.

Accomplishments
• Board Certified in healthcare management
• Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives
Ken Wheat

Speciality: Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Desert Regional Medical Center
1150 North Indian Canyon Drive
Palm Springs, CA 92262
(760) 323-6778

Education
• 2nd Year MHA Student, University of Southern California
• Certified Public Accountant, Georgia License
• Bachelors of Business Administration in Accounting, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
• Bachelor Business Administration in Finance, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida

Biography
8/08-Present Chief Operating Officer, Desert Regional Medical Center (Palm Springs, CA)
2007-2008 Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance, Tenet Central Region
2004-2007 Chief Financial Officer, Desert Regional Medical Center (Palm Springs, CA)
2000-2004 Chief Financial Officer, North Fulton Regional Hospital (Roswell, GA)

Accomplishments
• Member, American College of Healthcare Executives
Dr. Robert Cunnah

Speciality: Chief Medical Officer (CMO)
Desert Regional Medical Center
1150 North Indian Canyon Drive
Palm Springs, CA 92262
(760) 323-6801

Education
• MB, BS, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Biography
07/06-Present Chief Medical Officer, Desert Regional Medical Center
1995-2006 Chairman, Department of Anesthesiology, Desert Regional Medical Center
1995-2006 Medical Director, Anesthesiology, Desert Regional Medical Center
1995-2006 President, Desert Medical Anesthesia Group, Inc.
1988-1991 Clinical Assistant Professor, Stanford University School of Medicine
1980-1988 Clinical Instructor, Stanford University School of Medicine
1988-1990 Chief of Staff, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center
1984-1986 Secretary Treasurer, Medical Staff, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center

Accomplishments
• Member of the California Medical Association, California Society of Anesthesiologists, American Society of Anesthesiologists, and the American Board of Anesthesiology (retired)
• American College of Physician Executives
Barry Thorfinnson

Speciality: Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Desert Regional Medical Center
1150 North Indian Canyon Drive
Palm Springs, CA 92262
(760) 323-6575

Education
• Bachelors of Business Administration, California Pacific University, San Diego, California
• Executive Management Program, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California
Biography
8/08-Present Chief Operating Officer, Desert Regional Medical Center
1996-2008 Chief Financial Officer, Universal Health Services, Inc.
1995-1996 Associate Administrator, Finance/Chief Financial Officer, Fresno County Valley Medical Ctr

Accomplishments
• Board certified in Healthcare Financial Management
• Has played a significant role in the purchase and merger of Rancho Springs from Tenet.
• Secured the best contracts from the top HMOs in the market
• Prepared and coordinated feasibility studies for projects such as new financing or capital acquisition, reference and multi-facility clinical laboratory.
• Negotiated SWHCS contracts with Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Cigna, Health Net, Aetna and other major HMO payers, yielding the best rates and terms in the company's history.
• Persuaded a 175-member primary care physician group to join with VMC in an alliance to provide managed care network for nearly 75,000 members in the health plan under a shared risk arrangement with the trauma center.
Sandra Hooper

Speciality: Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)
Desert Regional Medical Center
1150 North Indian Canyon Drive
Palm Springs, CA 92262
(760) 323-6570

Education
• Master of Business Administration, Health Service Administration, Bryant College, Smithfield, Rhode Island
• Bachelor of Science, Health Service Administration, Providence College, Providence, Rhode Island
• Associate Degree, Nursing, Rhode Island Hospital, School of Nursing, Providence, Rhode Island

Biography
10/05-Present Chief Nursing Officer, Desert Regional Medical Center
2004-2005 Vice President/Chief Nursing Officer, Saint Vincent Hospital at Worcester Medical Center
2003-2004 Director of Nursing, Specialty Services, Saint Vincent Hospital at Worcester Medical Center

Accomplishments
• 2009 Wharton Fellowship for Nurse Executives
• Member of the American Nurses Association in Advanced Nursing Administration and the American Organization of Nurse Executives
• Redesign and implementation of an effective and efficient practice model for adult therapeutic nursing services
• Responsible for clinical education and orientation of clinical staff
• Development of standards and patient care protocols, documentation standards, and management reorganization
• Provided teaching in the undergraduate healthcare program in the school of Continuing Education
• Assisted in the opening of a national nursing service providing supplemental staffing and home health resulting in a profitable organization within one year
Clifford Daniels

Speciality: Chief Development Officer (CDO)
Desert Regional Medical Center
1150 North Indian Canyon Drive
Palm Springs, CA 92262
(760) 323-6690

Education
• Bachelors of Arts, Economics, University of California, Los Angeles

Biography7/06 -Present Chief Development Officer, Desert Regional Medical Center
1999-2006 Senior Vice President, Managed Care Resolution
1996-1999 Vice President, Bus. Dev., Meridian Health Care Management

Accomplishments
• Developed business plans and demand models for clinical product lines; led physician recruitment campaign, placing >30 new practitioners in first 3 years; led marketing efforts to increase community awareness of hospital services, including development of 64-page community magazine
• Led reconfiguration of physician networks in CA & NM; negotiated claims payment work-outs
• Led start-ups and turnarounds for PHOs and IPAs in CA, LA and GA; redesigned physician compensation models
• Managed multi-site primary care group; negotiated payor contracts
• Conceived & negotiated joint venture to build 60-bed freestanding rehab hospital; secured $9.2M financing for new medical office building
• Vice Chairman, Board of Directors, Coachella Valley Economic Partnership, 2010-11
• Member, Board of Directors, Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce 2009-2012
• Member, Board of Directors, Mizell Senior Center, 2009-2011B
• Member, Board of Directors, Pinnacle Fund, (non-profit that supports local public schools), 2009-2012
• Member, KPSP-TV Community Advisory Board, 2009-11
Henry "Hank" Hudson III

Speciality: Chief Human Resources Officer
Desert Regional Medical Center
1150 North Indian Canyon Drive
Palm Springs, CA 92262
(760) 323-6780

Education
• Masters of Business Administration, University of Massachusetts
• Bachelor of Science, Psychology, University of Massachusetts

Biography
3/06-Present Chief Human Resources Director, Desert Regional Medical Center
2005-2006 Human Resources Director, Sunline Transit Agency
2004-2005 Vice President, Human Resources, Long Beach Memorial Medical Center
2001-2004 Investor/Self Employed Entrepreneur
1998-2001 Vice President, Human Resources Hillcrest HealthCare System
1996-1997 Vice President, Corporate Services, Desert Regional Medical Center
1991-1996 Director, Human Resources, Desert Regional Medical Center

Accomplishments
• Developed and directed the HR infrastructure for Hillcrest HealthCare System, a multi-location, vertically integrated healthcare system
• Established North American, HR operations for a $60 million international acquisition.
• Created and updated the overall HR function for a public sector entity.
• Developed and implemented a fully flexible, cafeteria benefits program resulting in 15% cost savings per year.
• Reduced consultative expenses by 75% over a 3 year period via the introduction of HRIS and staff development.

 Top Procedures and Diagnoses:

  • Maternity Care
  • Coronary Interventional Procedures (Angioplasty/ Stent)
  • Heart Failure
  • Heart Attack
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
  • Pneumonia
  • Total Knee Replacement
  • Stroke
  • Gastrointestinal Bleed
  • Bariatric Surgery


  • "If you are over 50 and end up at RCH that might cost you your life! My elderly mother went in with 4 known conditions, glaucoma, dementia, arthritis, and a possible stroke. The only meds she had was eye drops. They were getting ready to send her back home the next day. Then call me back and asked if she had a do not resuscitate order? I said yes. Called me back again asking me the same question. Then the next call I get a lil' while later they are telling me a bunch of things are wrong she...
    14 October 2022, 02:14
  • Nice Family Lawyer Toronto
    13 April 2022, 03:31
  • 9-3-2021 An ambulance transported me to Christus Spohn hospital in Beeville due to breathing issues, severe headaches, fever and confusion. They completely misdiagnosed me even though I was having those symptoms and doctor Joshua J White DO falsified several details on the medical report. Then they had me transported to their psychiatric hospital in Corpus Christi where I was told that my family put me in there and if I didn't take the med's I was never getting out. For three days I was disregar...
    14 March 2022, 04:53
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