Executive Team

As medical director of the Scripps Cancer Center, Dr. Thomas Buchholz leads a comprehensive and clinically integrated cancer care program that serves patients throughout Southern California. He leads the development of clinical research activities within the program, including collaboration with industry-sponsored and investigator-initiated clinical trials. Read more about Thomas Buchholz.

As corporate senior vice president of human resources, Eric Cole’s priority is people. With a local workforce hovering around 17,000, this means providing a vision for individual growth as well as a “world class” workplace that allows for engagement, innovation and productivity. Read more about Eric Cole.

As chief legal officer, Brad Ellis provides legal guidance and support to the president and CEO, the Board of Trustees, and the operating units across the Scripps system. He leads a diverse legal department with extensive internal capabilities (as well as engaged services) in litigation, employment law, patient care, medical malpractice, tax issues, legal risk management, contract negotiations, joint ventures and acquisitions, Medicare and Medicaid billing regulations, and physician practice acquisition and contracts. Read more about Brad Ellis.

As regional chief executive for Scripps Health’s southern region, Tom Gammiere has oversight of two hospital campuses — Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego and Scripps Mercy Hospital Chula Vista. His focus is on aligning the care and services provided by these hospitals to ensure high-quality, accessible health care and an exceptional health care experience for patients in South San Diego County. Read more about Tom Gammiere.

As corporate senior vice president, chief medical and operations officer, ambulatory care at Scripps Health and for Scripps Health Plan Services, Dr. Keswani’s role at Scripps is diverse. His responsibilities include ambulatory services, Scripps affiliated medical groups, seven major clinical service lines, post-acute care, population health management, executive health, and value-based care, including managed care and ACOs. Read more about Dr. Keswani.

As corporate senior vice president, chief medical and operations officer, acute care, Dr. Ghazala Sharieff engages physicians and staff in the coordination and management of inpatient clinical care and the reduction of unnecessary variation — especially as it relates to patient experience, quality and safety. She also has leadership oversight of Scripps’ pharmacy, supply chain, inpatient imaging, engineering, environmental services, food and nutrition, security, and disaster/emergency management. Read more about Dr. Sharieff.

Gerry Soderstrom joined Scripps Health in 2016 and is currently corporate senior vice president and chief audit, compliance and risk officer. In his role, he has executive responsibility for corporate assurance and advisory services provided through the audit, compliance and risk services department. Read more about Gerry Soderstrom.

As Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Brett Tande is responsible for all financial planning and financial operations at Scripps Health, including corporate finance, treasury, revenue cycle, payroll, real estate operations, hospital and ambulatory financial operations, and all affiliated functions. He also advises senior management on organizational financial matters. Read more about Brett Tande.

Shane Thielman is responsible for the vision and implementation of Scripps information and digital technology. As the organization’s chief information officer, he provides leadership for the development, implementation, integration and execution of technology and biomedical engineering initiatives, focusing on solutions that enable system strategy and deliver effective clinical and business operations. Read more about Shane Thielman.