The Cottage Health Board of Directors has selected experienced healthcare leader Scott Wester, MHA, as Cottage Health’s next president and CEO. Mr. Wester will assume his post April 7, 2025.
Cottage Health chose Mr. Wester after an extensive national search. He replaces Ron Werft, MHA, who will retire after 38 years at Cottage Health, the last 25 as president and CEO.
Mr. Wester’s three decades of successfully steering healthcare systems and his strategic vision distinguished him as the top candidate to lead Cottage Health. He has led the evolution of several healthcare organizations. In his 14 years as president and CEO of Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, major capital projects included building a new children’s hospital and a heart and vascular institute. He also led the center’s transition from a community hospital to a major teaching hospital and delivered a $250 million partnership with Louisiana State University for workforce development.
Mr. Wester most recently served as president and CEO of Memorial Healthcare System in South Florida. Memorial Healthcare is one of the nation’s largest public healthcare systems and encompasses six hospitals, more than 16,000 employees, and comprehensive services ranging from primary to quaternary care.
After joining Memorial Healthcare System in 2022, he quickly made his mark. He stabilized the system’s workforce after the COVID-19 pandemic and earned awards for employee engagement. The system opened a new cancer institute associated with Moffitt Cancer Center, expanded a pediatric hospital, and grew clinical programs. Memorial Healthcare had its strongest-ever fiscal year during his tenure, allowing the system to expand patient care and outreach.
“Scott Wester rose above as a proven, strategic leader in advancing large non-profit and public health systems. He will be a champion for our patient care, shared governance, operational excellence, and
commitment to the community,” said Steven Zola, Chair of Cottage Health’s executive search committee.
The Cottage Health Board of Directors is confident that Mr. Wester will continue the organization’s momentum in achieving the goals of its strategic plan that includes new patient services and an innovation center.
“We’re excited to work with Scott in the coming months and years and see him transform his vision into actions that improve health in our region,” said Eric Seale, who was appointed chair of the Cottage Health Board of Directors in January.
In the coming years, Cottage Health plans to grow its medical staff, advance health through its Compton Center for Medical Excellence and Innovation and broaden services in ambulatory and acute care. Mr. Wester also will oversee numerous milestones for the system, including moving Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital to the Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital campus and expanding services at Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital.
Mr. Wester graduated magna cum laude with bachelor’s degrees in chemistry and classical humanities from Saint Louis University in Missouri in 1990. He went on to earn a Master of Hospital and Health Administration degree from Xavier University in his native Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1993.
Health professions run in Mr. Wester’s family. His grandfather was an obstetrician/gynecologist and his father was a clinical psychologist. His daughter Grace is studying to become a physician, while his daughter Lily is pursuing veterinary medicine. He and his wife, Nicole, look forward to becoming a part of the community and getting to know the Santa Barbara County area.
“Every conversation I’ve had about Cottage Health confirms that its impact goes beyond its hospitals and clinics. It’s a fundamental part of this Central Coast community,” Mr. Wester said. “I’m excited to lead this outstanding organization and the thousands of employees who reflect Cottage’s core values of excellence, integrity and compassion.”
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What’s his salary?
Why?
The last guy made close to $2 million per year. That’s excessive for signing papers and holding meetings. He’s not performing brain surgery.
“Citizens” are always demanding the salary information on government employees and ignoring “private” executive salary. This institution lives on public dollars for grants, medicaid and medicare reimbursements. There is no real competition for the service they offer in our community. It is a basic monopoly and we should have the right to intervene, or at least express our opinions. Also, critics of government should pay attention to what the “private sector” offers for this sort of work.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandates that nonprofit hospitals justify their tax-exempt status by providing community benefits, including free or reduced-cost care.
Former CEO Ron Werft earned over $1.5 million in total compensation, which is on the high end for nonprofit hospital CEOs in California.
Compensation is often based on market benchmarks, and nonprofit hospitals must compete with for-profit health systems for top talent.
If Wester’s salary is within the industry norm for hospitals of similar size and scope, it may be seen as a necessary expense to attract strong leadership.
If Wester improves patient care, expands services, or enhances financial sustainability, his compensation may be considered a worthwhile investment.
Cottage Health is a Level I Trauma Center and a major regional healthcare provider, meaning it requires strong executive leadership.
His salary is determined by the Board of Directors and must align with IRS regulations, which require nonprofit salaries to be “reasonable and not excessive.”
Cottage Health must disclose executive pay in IRS Form 990, allowing for public transparency.
What Can the Community Do?
Review IRS Filings: Once Cottage Health releases its next Form 990, the public can verify the CEO’s salary and assess how it compares to hospital spending on community health programs.
Engage in Public Dialogue: Local stakeholders, including patients and healthcare workers, can attend public forums or contact the hospital board to raise concerns.
Monitor Hospital Practices: If Wester’s leadership results in service cutbacks, staff reductions, or increased healthcare costs, it may indicate a misalignment of priorities.