In
David Pecoraro
Profile
David Pecoraro started his college career when he was 16 years old. He planned to major in Physics, but it was a volunteer assignment in a hospital that changed his career plans. Dave decided to study at WVU and pursue a degree in Industrial Engineering with an interest in working as an engineer in healthcare.
When Dave graduated, he went to work for the Appalachian Regional Hospital (ARH), an organization which had hospitals in southern West Virginia and Kentucky. Within 10 months, he moved to corporate headquarters with responsibility to support 10 hospitals.
After 5 years at ARH, Dave moved to California to be the Chief Industrial Engineer for Kaiser Permanente in Southern California. While at Kaiser Permanente, Dave obtained more experience in healthcare finance.
Dave had an opportunity to return to the East when he became Director of Management Services at the University of Kentucky. This was a critical move for Dave because he became involved in information technology. As healthcare became more complex, IT has become essential for delivery of healthcare services.
Dave’s move to a senior executive position was when he became the Vice President and Chief Information Officer (CIO) at the Jewish Hospital Healthcare Servicers in Louisville, KY. He was at this position for 24 years. During this time, he obtained a Master of Science in Systems Science Health Care Administration.
Dave is currently the Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health System in Denver, Colorado.
Dave feels there is a continuing need for Industrial Engineers in healthcare. He advises students who are interested in this career path to work in healthcare for a few years and then pursue a master’s degree in healthcare administration or business administration. “A master’s credential is important in healthcare organizations,” Dave says.
Bio
David C. Pecoraro currently serves as the Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer for the SCL Health System with responsibilities for Information Systems and Technology and HIM throughout the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health System and Exempla Healthcare. Prior to joining SCLHS in July, 2010, David was the Senior Vice President and CIO for Exempla Healthcare since March, 2006. In that role he had responsibility for Information Technology and Services, Materials Management, Quality and Decision Support, and HIM.
Dave moved to the Denver area in 2006 after serving as the Vice president and CIO for Jewish Hospital Healthcare Services of Louisville, KY for 24 years. Prior appointments included Director of Management Services at the University of KY Medical Center, Chief Industrial Engineer for Kaiser Permanente of Southern Calif, and Director of Management Engineering for Appalachian Regional Hospitals of Lexington, KY.
Dave holds a BS degree in Industrial Engineering from West Virginia University and an MS degree in Systems Sciences and Healthcare Administration from the University of Louisville. He is the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award, The Graduate Dean’s Citation, the Wallace Spradling Award for Superior Scholarship, a member of the National Graduate Honor Society – Phi Kappa Phi and has served as an Adjunct Instructor for the Graduate School of the College of Urban and Public Affairs at the University of Louisville.
Dave and his wife Denise reside in Evergreen, Colorado and have raised 6 children. David’s interests include nature photography and the 5 string banjo.
