Sharp Executive and Leadership Team

Christopher Howard, the President & Chief Executive Officer at Sharp, directs the overarching strategic vision for this not-for-profit regional health care group. Overseeing four acute-care hospitals and three specialty hospitals, the President & Chief Executive Officer ensures operational excellence across the entire system. This leadership role involves aligning clinical outcomes with long-term financial sustainability to support the broader mission of community health. By managing complex stakeholder relationships, Howard maintains the integrity of the health plan and affiliated medical groups. The President & Chief Executive Officer drives initiatives that expand access to high-quality care throughout the California region. Through rigorous oversight of organizational performance, Howard secures the future of the health system. This executive leadership ensures that every hospital and medical facility remains focused on patient-centered care while navigating the evolving landscape of the modern health care industry.

William Littlejohn, the Chief Executive Officer & Senior VP (ENVISION) at Sharp, directs the philanthropic strategy and capital development efforts for the health care system. Overseeing the ENVISION campaign, the Chief Executive Officer & Senior VP (ENVISION) ensures that the organization secures the necessary resources to expand facilities and upgrade medical technology. This leadership role involves cultivating relationships with donors and community partners to support the growth of the four acute-care hospitals and three specialty hospitals. By managing large-scale fundraising initiatives, Littlejohn directly impacts the ability of the system to provide advanced care. The Chief Executive Officer & Senior VP (ENVISION) drives the financial foundation required for long-term infrastructure projects. Through strategic alignment with the board, Littlejohn ensures that philanthropic goals support the clinical mission. This executive leadership secures the future of the health care group by fostering a culture of generosity and community investment.

Melissa Major, the Chief Executive Officer, Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Centers at Sharp, directs the daily operations and clinical performance of the affiliated medical groups. Overseeing a vast network of outpatient services, the Chief Executive Officer, Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Centers ensures that patient care remains efficient and high-quality. This leadership role involves coordinating with the acute-care hospitals to provide a seamless continuum of care for the community. By optimizing clinical workflows, Major improves patient access and satisfaction across the medical centers. The Chief Executive Officer, Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Centers drives initiatives that integrate primary and specialty care to enhance health outcomes. Through collaboration with other medical leaders, Major maintains the standard of excellence expected within the regional health care group. This executive leadership ensures that the medical centers remain a cornerstone of the health system by delivering consistent, reliable, and compassionate care to the population.

Paul Durr, the Senior Vice President and Chief Executive Officer Sharp Community Medical Group at Sharp, directs the strategic growth and operational management of the community-based medical network. Overseeing the integration of physician practices, the Senior Vice President and Chief Executive Officer Sharp Community Medical Group ensures that the medical group remains aligned with the broader health system goals. This leadership role involves managing provider networks and enhancing the quality of care delivered in community settings. By focusing on population health management, Durr improves the overall wellness of the patient base. The Senior Vice President and Chief Executive Officer Sharp Community Medical Group drives operational efficiency to support the sustainability of the medical group. Through collaboration with hospital leadership, Durr ensures that community care is well-coordinated with acute-care services. This executive leadership strengthens the regional presence of the health care group by fostering strong physician partnerships.

James Nuckols, the Chief Marketing Officer at Sharp, architects the brand strategy and public engagement initiatives for the regional health care network. Overseeing communication channels and patient outreach, the Chief Marketing Officer ensures that the mission of the organization reaches diverse populations across the California market. This leadership role involves developing digital campaigns that highlight the expertise of the four acute-care hospitals and three specialty hospitals. By analyzing market trends, Nuckols optimizes the visibility of the health plan and affiliated medical groups. The Chief Marketing Officer drives brand loyalty through consistent messaging that emphasizes quality and accessibility. Through strategic collaboration with other C-suite leaders, Nuckols aligns marketing efforts with the clinical goals of the system. This executive leadership ensures that the public understands the value proposition of the health care group while maintaining a strong reputation for excellence in patient services.

Donald Courville, the Vice President & Chief Technology Officer at Sharp, directs the digital infrastructure and information systems that support the entire health care network. Overseeing cybersecurity and electronic health records, the Vice President & Chief Technology Officer ensures that data remains secure and accessible for clinical staff. This leadership role involves implementing innovative technologies that improve the efficiency of the four acute-care hospitals and three specialty hospitals. By modernizing the digital landscape, Courville enables better coordination between the health plan and affiliated medical groups. The Vice President & Chief Technology Officer drives the adoption of advanced analytics to support data-driven decision-making across the organization. Through strategic investment in technology, Courville maintains the competitive edge of the health system. This executive leadership ensures that the digital environment supports the mission of providing high-quality, safe, and efficient patient care throughout the region.

Fadi Nicolas, the Chief Medical Officer, Behavioral Health at Sharp, directs the clinical strategy and service delivery for behavioral health programs across the system. Overseeing specialized care units, the Chief Medical Officer, Behavioral Health ensures that patients receive comprehensive support for mental health needs. This leadership role involves integrating behavioral health services into the broader acute-care and medical group framework. By developing evidence-based treatment protocols, Nicolas improves the quality of care for vulnerable populations. The Chief Medical Officer, Behavioral Health drives initiatives that reduce stigma and increase access to mental health resources within the community. Through collaboration with other clinical leaders, Nicolas ensures that behavioral health is a priority within the regional health care group. This executive leadership supports the overall mission of the organization by addressing the holistic health needs of the community and ensuring that mental health services are both accessible and effective.

Fahd Benjalil, the Chief Financial & Operating Officer at Sharp, directs the financial planning and operational efficiency of the entire health care network. Overseeing the budget and resource allocation, the Chief Financial & Operating Officer ensures that the four acute-care hospitals and three specialty hospitals remain fiscally sound. This leadership role involves managing the financial performance of the health plan and affiliated medical groups to support long-term growth. By optimizing operational processes, Benjalil reduces waste and improves the delivery of patient services. The Chief Financial & Operating Officer drives financial strategies that allow for continued investment in medical technology and facility upgrades. Through rigorous oversight of the bottom line, Benjalil maintains the stability of the not-for-profit organization. This executive leadership ensures that the health system remains capable of fulfilling its mission by balancing financial health with the commitment to providing high-quality care to the community.

Neelima Chu, the M. D. at Sharp, directs clinical excellence and patient safety initiatives within the medical group framework. Overseeing medical standards and quality assurance, the M. D. ensures that practitioners adhere to the highest levels of care. This leadership role involves mentoring medical staff and implementing best practices across the affiliated medical groups. By focusing on clinical outcomes, Chu improves the overall health of the patient population served by the system. The M. D. drives initiatives that enhance the patient experience and ensure that care is delivered with compassion and precision. Through collaboration with other clinical leaders, Chu maintains the reputation of the health care group for medical excellence. This executive leadership supports the mission of the organization by ensuring that every patient receives evidence-based, high-quality care that meets the rigorous standards of the regional health care network.

Mary DuQuette, the M. D. at Sharp, directs clinical strategy and quality improvement programs within the acute-care hospital environment. Overseeing medical protocols and patient care standards, the M. D. ensures that the hospitals maintain high performance in clinical outcomes. This leadership role involves coordinating with multidisciplinary teams to optimize the delivery of care in specialty and acute settings. By analyzing clinical data, DuQuette identifies opportunities for improvement and implements solutions that enhance patient safety. The M. D. drives initiatives that align medical practice with the broader goals of the health care system. Through collaboration with other clinical leaders, DuQuette ensures that the hospitals remain at the forefront of medical innovation. This executive leadership supports the mission of the organization by fostering a culture of excellence and ensuring that every patient receives the highest standard of care throughout the regional network.