COO, External Networks
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan/Hospitals
Ken Rivers
Ken Rivers, Chief Operating Officer External Networks for Kaiser Permanente (KP), San Bernardino County Service Area, has more than 30 years of senior executive leadership experience, both in the non-profit and for-profit sectors of health care. Prior to joining KP, Ken served as Chief Administrative Officer for an international tertiary care hospital and research driven healthcare system, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hospitals and multi-hospital Health Systems, and as a principle consultant for strategic development ventures in healthcare delivery, real estate and legislative support.
At KP, Ken’s servant leadership role involves working with many talented Medical Group and Hospital/Health Plan partners to further develop multiple tertiary service lines for Kaiser Permanente’s 660,000 capitated members in the Program’s largest Service Area. The Fontana 450-bed medical center that serves as a regional hub for Pediatric and tertiary surgical services and the Ontario 204-bed community hospital complement the external service network. Here, Ken has been exposed to the true meaning of Community servant leadership while developing the external network relationships and contractual agreements necessary to meet the KP Mission in the largest county in the United States.
Ken has enjoyed serving his community as a leader on many volunteer service organization boards including the American Red Cross, Chambers of Commerce and Rotary International. Professional development time is spent with trade organizations including the American College of Healthcare Executives (Fellow), American Hospital Association, California Hospital Association, Hospital Association of Southern California and United Hospital Association (Officer) in leadership and legislative action committee roles.
Ken earned his Sc.B. from Brown University and an M.S./M.B.A. from University of La Verne. He has also earned Executive Leadership Certificates from Harvard Business School and University of Southern California Marshall School of Business. He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and was recognized as Distinguished Citizen of the Year by the Boy Scouts of America. He has received two Golden Bear Service Awards from the State of California and was the first non-sworn recipient of City of Lakewood's Order of Merit for Community Service.
Rivers, father of four, enjoys the outdoors, music, scuba, sailing and playing golf by appointment.
Disclosure information not submitted.
Enhancing Health Plan Partnerships to Drive Community Healthcare Value (21H)
Monday, March 24, 2025
2:00pm – 3:00pm CT