Bakersfield, CA — Doug Hayward, current Kern Health Systems CEO announced his retirement effective July 6th, 2022. Mr. Hayward has served as CEO since January 2012. During his leadership, Kern Health Systems through Kern Family Health Care, grew approximately 300% to where today Kern Family Health Care serves over 325,000 Kern residents. Mr. Hayward stated, “Serving as Kern Health Systems CEO has been a rewarding experience for the past 10 years and I want to express my appreciation to our Board of Directors for their support and trust in my leadership over the years. I also want to thank the many outstanding providers in our medical community and my dedicated team for their commitment to serving Kern Family Health Care members”.

Tim McGlew, Board Chairman of Kern Health Systems, said, “Doug has done an outstanding job during his tenure as CEO. He has successfully guided KHS through significant growth along with many changes Medi-Cal health plans, like Kern Family Health Care, have had to adopt throughout his tenure. Doug’s commitment to high quality service, effective management, and sound decision-making has transformed our health plan, and has positioned us to take on the many new challenges facing us in providing expanded care to our community”.

Replacing Mr. Hayward is Emily Duran. Mrs. Duran has worked for Kern Health Systems in various executive roles since 2013. Prior to her coming to Kern Health Systems, Emily worked for Clinica Sierra Vista, another local Kern County institution. “Her knowledge of the organization and community will serve Mrs. Duran well as she assumes the CEO role,” said Tim McGlew. “Emily will be an excellent replacement to carry on our mission. She received unanimous support from the Board of Directors,” added Mr. McGlew.

Mr. Hayward stated, “We are fortunate to have Mrs. Duran as the new Chief Executive Officer”. Mr. Hayward went on to say, “She is a seasoned health care executive whose experience and leadership will contribute to KHS’ continued future success”.

“I am truly honored and humbled to be given the opportunity by the Board of Directors to lead such a critical local health plan. As the daughter of immigrant farmworkers, raised in rural Delano, I have experienced the struggles of our hard-working families. I have a deep-rooted commitment to the mission of improving the health status of our most vulnerable community residents and a vision to bring Kern Health Systems to the next level of quality health care,” said Mrs. Duran.

About Kern Health Systems

Kern Health Systems, the County Health Authority, is an independent public agency that governs Kern Family Health Care, the Health Plan of more than 325,000 members. As a public entity, Kern Health Systems’ mission is dedicated to improving the health status of its members through an integrated managed health care delivery system.

Contact:
Jacquelyn Jans
(661) 332-6025