Karen Miles named chief operating officer for Kaiser Permanente Downey
DOWNEY — Karen Miles, MSN, RN, recently joined Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center as chief operating officer, bringing more than 30 years of clinical and healthcare leadership experience.
Miles has a strong track record of leading strategic initiatives, supporting multidisciplinary teams and advancing efforts that improve outcome and patient experience. A registered nurse by training, she has held senior leadership positions in hospital operations, care management and regional strategy.
"I'm excited to join the Downey team and return to the hospital setting, where I began my career and developed my passion for operations," said Miles. "I look forward to partnering with our physicians and care teams to strengthen the exceptional support and experience our members and patients rely on, helping ensure they continue to receive high-quality, coordinated care close to home. It’s also wonderful to work in a vibrant community like Downey, and nothing beats the sunshine in Southern California.”
Most recently, Miles served as regional vice president of Continuum Strategy & Operations for Kaiser Permanente’s Northwest Region. In that role, she led a broad portfolio that included home health, hospice, skilled nursing, inpatient rehabilitation, acute care at home, in-home primary care and virtual hospital services. Prior to that, she served as a hospital chief operating officer where she led operations for two medical centers.
“Karen is a collaborative and experienced leader who will be a tremendous asset to our medical center,” said Mitch Winnik, senior vice president and area manager, Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center. "We are excited to welcome her and look forward to the contributions she will make for our members, patients and the communities we serve.”
Her combined clinical and leadership experience gives her a deep understanding of both clinical care, and the complex systems required to deliver it.
Miles earned a Master of Science in nursing, leadership and management and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Walden University.