From Nursing Student to CEO: Marie Aragon Comes Full Circle

Aragon will lead the hospital where her healthcare journey began, alongside a diverse, all women executive leadership team.

CULVER CITY, Calif. --- Marie Aragon’s appointment as Chief Executive Officer of Southern California Hospital at Culver City marks more than the next step in an accomplished healthcare career. It is a full-circle moment.

Years ago, Aragon walked through the hospital’s doors as a nursing student, beginning a journey that would take her from the bedside through clinical and nursing leadership and ultimately into healthcare administration. Today, she leads the organization where that journey began.

From the Bedside to the CEO’s Office

Aragon knows Southern California Hospital at Culver City from the inside out. Her career began at the hospital as a nursing student. She went on to build her clinical foundation in nursing, critical care, and clinical informatics before advancing into nursing leadership and senior healthcare administration.

“I will never forget where I started. I know what it means to be at the bedside, to care for patients, and to be part of this hospital’s frontline team. That experience has shaped the leader I am today.” - Marie Aragon, Chief Executive Officer

A Leadership Team Built for the Future

Each member of the executive team brings a distinct perspective to the organization. Together, the five leaders bring distinct areas of expertise to a shared mission: strengthening patient care, supporting employees and physicians, and positioning the hospital for continued growth.

Southern California Hospital at Culver City executive leadership team.

From left: Kathren Alkasspooles, Jessica Greer, Marie Aragon, Teresa Liaw, Katherine Avendano

Marie Aragon | Chief Executive Officer

Leads the hospital’s overall strategy and vision, bringing together clinical, operational, and financial priorities to strengthen patient care, support employees and physicians, and position the organization for continued growth.

Jessica Greer | Chief Nursing Officer

Leads the hospital’s nursing enterprise and clinical strategy, with a focus on nursing excellence, patient safety, workforce development, and frontline engagement.

Katherine Avendano | Chief Operating Officer

Oversees hospital operations across clinical and administrative functions, focusing on performance, efficiency and the patient and employee experience.

Teresa Liaw | Chief Financial Officer

Provides financial leadership and stewardship, aligning resources with strategic priorities and long-term sustainability.

Kathren Alkasspooles | Vice President of Business Development

Leads business development, physician relationships, strategic partnerships, and opportunities to expand services and strengthen the hospital’s community presence.

Proud to Lead Together

For Aragon, leading alongside an all-women executive team carries additional significance. The team stands for five women with different professional backgrounds and areas of expertise, united by a commitment to patients, employees, physicians, and the community they serve.

A New Chapter for Culver City

At Southern California Hospital at Culver City, the leadership team is focused on the fundamentals: high-quality patient care, engaged employees, stronger physician partnerships, operational excellence, and meaningful community relations.

For Aragon, the milestone is less the completion of a journey than the beginning of another chapter for the hospital and the community it serves.