EL PASO, Texas — Las Palmas Medical Center has announced Ruben Castro as its new chief operating officer (COO), effective immediately. Castro, an El Paso native, succeeds Don Karl who was appointed chief executive officer earlier this year.
“Ruben has an exemplary track record of success in administration management, and we’re happy to welcome him home to El Paso,” Don Karl, chief executive officer of Las Palmas Medical Center, said. “We’re confident that Ruben will help us continue our tradition of excellence, and we look forward to the many valuable contributions he will make to our hospital.”
Most recently, Castro served as COO for St. David’s Georgetown Hospital in Georgetown, Texas—a part of the HCA Central and West Texas Division, which also includes Las Palmas Del Sol Healthcare—for more than three years. As COO in Georgetown, he oversaw the day-to-day operations and managed several hospital projects, including a new intensive care unit and MRI suite. Castro was an integral part of the hospital leadership team and has helped increase patient satisfaction during his tenure.
Prior to his role in Georgetown, Castro spent more than a decade at North Hills Hospital in North Richland Hills in various roles including associate administrator and ethics and compliance officer, director of information and technology services, and as a nurse in the rehabilitation unit.
Castro began his medical career as a member of the U.S. Army Reserve for eight years and then as an anesthesia technician at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford in Bedford. He earned his Bachelor of Science in information technology, as well as his Master of Business Administration from University of Phoenix. He is also a licensed vocational nurse.
Las Palmas Medical Center
Las Palmas Medical Center, located at 1801 N. Oregon, is part of Las Palmas Del Sol Healthcare, the leading healthcare provider for El Paso and the surrounding region, with physicians, nurses and staff who are committed to delivering the highest quality patient care available. With 316 beds, this full-service, acute care hospital offers comprehensive medical services in nearly every specialty including a certified stroke program, pediatric intensive care, award-winning maternity, cardiology and neuroscience. Las Palmas Medical Center is also known for cutting-edge robotic surgery and the region’s only kidney transplant program. For more information, please visit LPDSHealthcare.com.