Former Loma Linda Hospitals Administrator Named to Head Riverside County Regional Medical Center by Riverside County - City News Group, Inc.
View Upcoming Events View Your Local Sales

Community Calendar

◄ OCTOBER ►
S M T W T F S
27 28 29 30 01 02 03
04 05 06 07 08 09 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
View Events
Submit Events

Former Loma Linda Hospitals Administrator Named to Head Riverside County Regional Medical Center

By Riverside County, Community Writer
October 22, 2014 at 04:50pm. Views: 171

A former chief administrative officer at the Loma Linda University Medical Center hospitals recently took over as chief executive officer at Riverside County’s hospital. Zareh H. Sarrafian will help continue the financial about-face at Riverside County Regional Medical Center (RCRMC) that turned a $50 million annual loss into a balanced budget in less than a year. The surprising change resulted from staffing and operational shifts implemented by Huron, a hospital consultant hired by Riverside Ccounty, and Lowell Johnson, another consultant who specializes in turning around financially ailing hospitals. County Executive Office Jay Orr said Sarrafian not only will help take the next steps toward financial stability, he will work to improve health care in the community and expand a network of care anchored by RCRMC. The network includes university programs that educate medical students locally, private and public partnerships in the Inland Empire, and programs that will enable residents to receive specialty care in the region rather than going to Los Angeles or Orange counties. “We are excited to have Zareh on board as we shift from a center largely for indigent patients to one that serves the entire community,” Orr said. “Our emerging network will be available to insured as well as uninsured patients, and our goal is to improve health and health care throughout the region.” Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff Stone took time amid the announcement to thank Lowell Johnson, who has been interim chief executive officer at RCRMC since November. During a budget hearing in early September, Johnson told Board members that the hospital budget was balanced for the fiscal year that runs through June. “We cannot thank Lowell enough. Along with Huron, he prevented what could have been years of a financial quagmire,” Stone said. “Now, we are looking at an exciting future and a county hospital that will thrive as we enter a new era in health care.” Sarrafian began working at RCRMC Monday (Oct. 6). Johnson will help with the transition at the hospital for 30 to 60 days. While at Loma Linda University Medical Center until earlier this year, Sarrafian was responsible for operational oversight of hospitals that include Children's Hospital, East Campus Hospital, Heart & Surgical Hospital, and University Hospital. He provided strategic direction in addressing day-to-day internal operations as well as the external growth and partnerships needed to run high-quality programs. When the chief executive officer of LLUMC was absent, he also was responsible for ensuring proficient services designed to meet the needs of patients, physicians, employees, and the public. In other positions at LLUMC, Sarrafian was responsible for preparing operational goals and budgets; ensuring operations complied with applicable laws, regulations and institutional policies; and for contracting activities with managed care organizations and other entities on behalf of the medical center. He played a major role in improving the financial performance of the organization, along with improving patients' access to the institution’s services. "It will be a privilege to work with a team that has improved the hospital's financial condition and at the same time continued to provide excellent medical care for some of our most vulnerable residents," Sarrafian said. Sarrafian, 50, has three children and lives in Riverside. Over the years, he has served on a number of boards for local organizations and has been involved in community volunteer programs. He earned a master's degree in business administration from California State University, San Bernardino, graduating with high honors; and a bachelor's degree from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

Related Articles

Colton Mayor Frank Navarro Seeks Reelection With Focus on Completing Major Projects
Photo Courtesy of: coltonca.gov

By Margie Miller, Publisher City News Group

October 28, 2026 at 06:00am. Views: 627

One of the most visible projects Navarro wants to advance is the city’s planned sports complex. He lists its development among his major accomplishments and says residents should evaluate another term partly by whether the city breaks ground and completes project phases. Read more about Mayor Frank Navarro...

The Truth About Measure “N”
Photo Courtesy of: Grand Terrace City Council

By Doug Wilson, Councilmember, Contributing Writer

October 28, 2026 at 06:05am. Views: 591

Councilman Doug Wilson, serving Grand Terrace since 2014 Speaks out about why he feels Grand Terrace residents deserve to know the facts about Measure “N,” the proposed one-percent sales tax initiative on the ballot this November 3rd.

The CARE Project and LympheDIVAS Provide Nearly $100,000 to Breast Cancer Survivors
Photo Courtesy of: The CARE Project inc.

By Carl M. Dameron, Contributing Writer

October 20, 2026 at 03:09pm. Views: 861

Photo caption: The CARE Project’s Vice President, Diana Jaurigue, with President & Founder Carrie Madrid, who is wearing the LympheDIVAS compression sleeve on her left arm. Donated compression garments help manage swelling and are essential to daily care for many breast cancer survivors.

ALDI Packs Over 1,300 Boxes of Disaster Relief with FARSB

Photo Courtesy of: Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino

By Rachel Bonilla, Community Writer

October 27, 2026 at 02:37pm. Views: 344

Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino (FARSB) has once again partnered with ALDI for their annual volunteer event, where team members packed over 1,300 food boxes with various shelf-stable items to be distributed for disaster relief as needed.

Could a Handful of Walnuts Improve Your Health? Loma Linda Researchers Discover a Promising Connection
Photo Courtesy of: CIty News Group

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 04:11pm. Views: 2059

An October 2026 study from Loma Linda University suggests a simple dietary change may influence inflammation-related measures in older adults. A bowl of walnuts sits alongside a nutritious breakfast, illustrating the everyday dietary choice examined in Loma Linda University research.

Grand Terrace Prepares for Halloween with October 31 Trunk or Treat Celebration
Photo Courtesy of: AI-generated by ChatGPT

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

October 28, 2026 at 06:00am. Views: 440

Families enjoy a Halloween trunk-or-treat gathering with decorated vehicles, pumpkins and festive costumes. Grand Terrace has scheduled its 2026 Trunk or Treat celebration for October 31

 From Childhood Hardship to City Leadership:  John Echevarria Seeks Colton Mayor's Office
Photo Courtesy of: coltonca.gov

By Margie Miller, Publisher City News Group

October 28, 2026 at 06:00am. Views: 764

Colton councilmember John Echevarria wants to expand his outreach to residents throughout the city, strengthen partnerships with county, state and federal officials, and build upon what he describes as a record of employee advocacy, neighborhood improvements and community involvement.Learn more about John Echevarria...

A New Home for Children's Healthcare: Loma Linda Unveils Five-Story Specialty Clinics
Photo Courtesy of: City News Group - AI Illustration

By Hattie Strong, Community Writer

October 27, 2026 at 02:38pm. Views: 329

Loma Linda University Children's Health Specialty Clinics, a new five-story, 105,000-square-foot facility designed to bring more than 21 pediatric specialties together. The facility is expected to begin serving patients in early 2027.This is an AI-generated illustration, not a verified photograph of the actual building.

Grand Terrace Shares Food Preservation Information as Families Look for Ways to Reduce Waste
Photo Courtesy of: https://wellri.com

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

October 27, 2026 at 02:38pm. Views: 291

An October City announcement draws attention to an everyday household practice with benefits for food budgets, kitchen safety and the environment. A basket of fresh produce can represent a week's worth of meals, the results of a successful backyard harvest or an unexpected bargain at the grocery store. Yet without proper storage, even the freshest fruits and vegetables can spoil before a family has an opportunity to use them.

License Plate Reader Technology Helps Detectives Solve Grand Terrace Residential Burglary Case
Photo Courtesy of: City News Group - AI Illustration

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

October 27, 2026 at 02:38pm. Views: 498

An October announcement highlights how investigative technology and cooperation among law enforcement agencies can help solve crimes affecting Grand Terrace neighborhoods. For residents of Grand Terrace, home is more than an address. It is where families gather, children grow up and neighbors build relationships over many years. When a residential burglary occurs, the effects can extend beyond the property taken or damage caused. A crime inside someone's home can undermine the sense of security that makes a neighborhood feel safe.

Grand Terrace's AB 98 Truck Route Study Raises Questions About Traffic, Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life
Photo Courtesy of: City News Group - AI Illustration

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

October 27, 2026 at 02:38pm. Views: 300

The rumble of a commercial truck passing through a city can represent two very different things. For a business awaiting a delivery, it may signal the arrival of essential supplies. For residents living near a busy roadway, it may raise concerns about traffic, noise and safety. In Grand Terrace, finding a reasonable balance between those interests is at the center of an ongoing transportation planning effort.

Grand Terrace Opens 24-Hour Ballot Drop Box as November Election Approaches
Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 03:49pm. Views: 734

Secure drop box is located outside the Grand Terrace Library, on the west end of the Civic Center building at 22795 Barton Road. According to the City, it will remain accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, until 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3. The San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters is responsible for operating the box, collecting ballots and transporting them for election processing.

--> -->