The California Health Care Foundation (CHCF) today announced the election of Mark Laret to its board of directors. Laret, who retired last month after 21 years as president and CEO of UCSF Health, will join the independent Oakland-based health care philanthropy at its March board meeting.

Laret brings unparalleled executive experience building and improving major health care systems throughout California. He was appointed CEO of UCSF Medical Center in April 2000, where he went on to lead a complete financial and operational turnaround and a major expansion. Most importantly, his organizational achievements resulted in significant improvements in quality, access, and affordability of care.

With Laret at the helm, UCSF Health grew its outpatient care fivefold, doubled inpatient care, and tripled its workforce to 15,000. He transformed the organization from a single medical center in San Francisco to a large network of hospitals, health care providers, and outpatient clinics throughout the Bay Area. Laret also led the effort to bring the struggling Oakland Children’s Hospital into the UCSF family and oversaw the development of a new children’s hospital in San Francisco. Today, both hospitals are in the top rankings for pediatric specialty care nationwide.

“Mark Laret’s accomplishments as a head of UCSF Health are legendary,” said CHCF board chair Dan Gross. “His success flows directly from his deep sense of mission and his ability to bring the best out of everyone around him. I couldn’t be more excited to have him join the CHCF board.”

Laret also brings a long-standing commitment to health equity. He was an early and passionate supporter of UCSF initiatives to address racial inequities in health care. With his leadership, UCSF Health became the first medical center in the country to fully attend to the needs of LGBTQ patients.

“Time after time, Mark has demonstrated that it is always the right time to do the right thing,” said CHCF president and CEO Dr. Sandra R. Hernández. “He also has organizational skills to make what is right into a reality. He is an outstanding addition to our board.”

Prior to UCSF, Laret spent five years as CEO of the UC Irvine Medical Center and health system. He also spent 15 years at UCLA Medical Center and UCLA Medical Group, serving in multiple senior leadership roles. Until recently, he was chair of the board of directors for Canopy Health. He has also served as chair of the Council of Teaching Hospitals, Association of American Medical Colleges, and California Hospital Association.

“I have followed the work of the California Health Care Foundation for many years and have deep admiration for the impact that it has throughout the state,” said Laret. “I look forward to working with my fellow board members and with CHCF staff to make California’s health care system the best it can be for all Californians.”

Laret holds a bachelor’s degree from UCLA and a master’s degree from the University of Southern California, both in political science. He lives in Tiburon.

About the California Health Care Foundation