Lloyd H. Dean

Honorary Degrees
 
 

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California State University, San Luis Obispo​

Lloyd H. Dean is dedicated to preserving and expanding health care access for all. A health care visionary, Mr. Dean has devoted his career to eliminating the social disparities of health that are the root cause of many health issues.

As chief executive officer of CommonSpirit Health, one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit health care companies, Mr. Dean delivers on his vision of a health care system that uses innovative partnerships, modern technology and human kindness to ensure that more Americans can live healthier futures. He was instrumental in creating CommonSpirit Health in 2019 when Dignity Health and Catholic Health Initiatives combined to form one of the nation’s leading providers of Medicaid and other health care services, with 139 hospitals and more than 1,000 care sites in 21 states.

During his tenure as president and CEO of Dignity Health, Mr. Dean transformed the health system from a holding company to a dynamic health enterprise with 41 hospitals and more than 400 care centers, including neighborhood hospitals, urgent care facilities, surgery and imaging centers, home health and primary care clinics. He also led Dignity Health’s development of broad, innovative partnerships that helped to create more positive patient experiences, more efficient care and services, and healthier communities.

Mr. Dean is a member of the Health Affairs Council on Health Care Spending and Value, and American Heart Association’s CEO Roundtable. As an advocate for health care, Mr. Dean has served on many federal and s​tate advisory panels and participated in regional and national charity and advocacy organizations. In 2020, he was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to California’s Task Force on Business and Jobs Recovery charged with helping the state recover from the COVID-19 crisis. In 2019, Mr. Dean served on the California Future of Work Commission committed to creating long-term economic growth in California. A strong advocate for health care reform, he was actively engaged with President Barack Obama and the White House Cabinet on health care issues.

In recognition of his impactful role as an innovative and visionary leader in health care, the Board of Trustees of the California State University and California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo are proud to confer upon Lloyd H. Dean the honorary degree of Doctor of