Diane Hansen, CPA, serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Palomar Health. With almost 20 years’ experience in the healthcare industry, Diane has held positions in the for-profit, not-for-profit, and governmental acute care hospitals in both academic and community medical centers.

Diane brings a deep breadth of knowledge in strategic financial planning and management, capital formation, as well as high-performing revenue cycle teams to Palomar Health. Under her executive leadership of the largest hospital district in California, Palomar Medical Center Escondido—Palomar Health’s anchor hospital—earned the titles of “Best Regional Hospital” by U.S. News & World Report, “World's Best Hospitals” by Newsweek and “America's 250 Best Hospitals” by Healthgrades.

Prior to her current role, Diane served as the Executive Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer for Palomar Health. Her responsibilities included capital formation, financial and real estate management, budgeting, treasury and contracting.

She started her journey at Palomar Health almost 20 years ago before detouring to WellPoint, Inc., the parent company of Anthem/Blue Cross, a Fortune 35 company. As Director of Cost and Budget, Diane’s responsibilities included consolidating the budget for 12 divisions, quarterly projections and reporting. She also worked as Director of Financial Operations for the Indiana University Health Physicians (IUHP) network and Ambulatory Services. During her tenure, IUHP fully integrated more than 600 physicians.

In 2012, she returned to Palomar Health, as the organization always held a special place in her heart because of its mission and connection to the community as a District Hospital.

Diane’s longevity in the healthcare industry comes as no surprise. She experienced firsthand the toll health concerns take within the family—her father had significant cardiac issues and she was in a traumatic car accident with her son that almost took his life. The unseen benefit of these challenging times is that she developed a deep compassion and empathy for people. As CEO of Palomar Health, she feels grateful for the opportunity to make others’ experience in health care as comforting as possible.

Diane serves on the executive committee and board for the California Hospital Association, as well as serves as Treasurer for the Hospital Association of San Diego and Imperial Counties. She most recently joined the Conference Board’s Committee for Economic Development (CED). Since its inception in 1942, CED has addressed national priorities that promote sustained economic growth and development to benefit all Americans. Diane also serves on the San Diego Local Agency Formation Commissions (LAFCO) Advisory Committee. LAFCOs were established in 1963 and are political subdivisions of the State of California responsible for providing regional growth management services in all 58 counties.

Recognized for her achievements at Palomar Health, Diane received the title of CEO of the Year in 2021 by The Association of California Healthcare Districts for her leadership and efforts in positively benefiting the district and community. The San Diego Business Journal also named her Women Leader of the Year for her dynamic contribution to the San Diego workplace. Diane is a licensed CPA and graduate of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.