Dr. Sony Sidhu is the new CEO of Madera Community Hospital, replacing Steve Stark, who led the reopening efforts four months ago. Hospital photo by Frank Lopez, Sidhu photo via AAM

The Madera Community Hospital board of trustees announced last week that Sony Sidhu will assume duties as the hospital’s new CEO effective July 3.

The appointment follows the reopening of the hospital four months ago under former CEO Steve Stark. Stark, who has served as regional CEO for three hospitals under American Advanced Management (AAM), the hospital’s operator, will return to Gridley, California, to be closer to family now that Madera Community Hospital has reopened, according to an AAM news release.

Sidhu brings with her over two decades of health care experience, holding roles in leadership, critical care and hospital operations. She most recently served as CEO of Central Valley Specialty Hospital in Modesto.

“Sony is an exceptional leader with a clear vision and a deep commitment to high-quality, compassionate care,” said Board Chair Deidre da Silva. “Her energy, integrity, and proven track record of hospital leadership make her the right person to lead Madera Community Hospital into the future. We are thrilled to welcome her to our community.”

Sidhu joins the 103-bed hospital with momentum behind her; in March, the hospital reopened, reestablishing emergency, lab, imaging, medical-surgical and ICU services for the community following a two-year closure.

New additions to the hospital include inpatient and ICU dialysis services, interventional radiology and 3-D mammography systems and MRI imaging units, increasing access to all three specialties of care for the local community.

“I am honored to serve the dedicated team at Madera Community Hospital, whose commitment and resilience made the reopening of this essential hospital a reality,” said Sidhu. “This team has achieved a monumental accomplishment, and I look forward to working together to expand access to care and ensure every patient in Madera receives the excellent care they deserve.”

Sidhu, a board-certified nursing executive leader, holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice from UCSF and a Master of Healthcare Administration. She started her career as a registered nurse in 2000, going on to professional administrative roles as a CEO, chief nursing officer and chief compliance and risk management officer.

“With a keen eye for detail and a comprehensive understanding of healthcare regulations, Dr. Sidhu navigates complex compliance issues with ease,” according to her bio on the AAM website. “With her unwavering commitment to patient safety and organizational integrity, she is an invaluable asset to AAM hospital system.”