Hala Helm, MBA, JD, CPHRM, DFASHRM - Chief Legal Officer

Hala Helm is the Chief Legal Officer for Palomar Health, a District hospital system in Southern California. In this role, she is responsible for the oversight of the risk, compliance and legal functions and programs, including clinical risk management and loss prevention, claims handling and oversight, corporate insurance programs, corporate transactions, contract review, board governance support, and corporate, legal and regulatory compliance.

Hala has worked in healthcare risk management and compliance for over twenty years and has deep experience in many diverse aspects of risk management and compliance including risk finance, captive insurance, loss prevention and mitigation, patient safety and quality, claims and litigation management, corporate compliance and privacy, corporate integrity agreements, and enterprise risk management. She has worked in a variety of healthcare settings, including large regional multi-hospital integrated health systems, academic medical centers and teaching hospitals, small independent community health systems, and ambulatory clinics and physician groups.

Prior to moving to California, Hala held positions of increasing responsibility in compliance, risk management and internal audit at Indiana University Health System (IN) and Spectrum Health (MI), leading departments and building programs. Since her relocation to California, Hala has served as Senior Director, Risk Finance for Stanford Hospitals and Clinics, Vice President/Chief Compliance and Privacy Officer for John Muir Health System, and most recently as Executive Vice President/Chief Risk Officer for the Palo Alto Medical Foundation and its associated 1700-member multi-specialty physician group.

Hala earned a Bachelor of Science with Highest Distinction from Indiana University, a Master of Business Administration from Indiana University Kelley School of Business, and a Juris Doctor from Santa Clara University School of Law. She is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma International Business Honor Society, the California State Bar, and is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Society for Healthcare Risk Management (ASHRM), where she is also President-elect for 2020. She is a published author and a frequent invited speaker at national professional conferences including the Health Care Compliance Association, National Patient Safety Foundation, American Society for Healthcare Risk Management, and American Health Lawyers Association.

Hala has been married to her husband, Ray, for 36 years and together they have two grown sons and three grandchildren. They enjoy DIY home renovations and international travel.

Learn more about our Board of Directors, Executive Management Team, and our recent Awards.

  • The mission of Palomar Health is to heal, comfort
    and promote health in the communities we serve.

    Palomar Health is a California Public Healthcare District.

  • Palomar Medical Center Escondido

    2185 Citracado Parkway
    Escondido, CA 92029
    442.281.5000
     

    Palomar Medical Center Poway

    15615 Pomerado Road
    Poway, CA 92064
    858.613.4000
     

    Palomar Medical Center Downtown Escondido

    555 East Valley Parkway
    Escondido, CA 92025
    760.739.3000

 
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