Jim Rice is a seasoned healthcare executive whose career spans over three decades of leadership in healthcare operations, strategy, and systems development. As Senior Vice President of Operations at Sovereign Healthcare in Orange County, California, Jim plays a central role in shaping the future of physician-partnered healthcare delivery. Since 2017, he has led the operational backbone of Sovereign’s efforts to support physician specialists and health systems in developing innovative, sustainable care models. His work ensures that every initiative for the ambulatory surgery centers functions with operational precision and patient-centered excellence.  Jim led the Pavilion Surgery Center for 2 years as the Administrator.  The center was converted from a Hospital Outpatient Department (HOPD) to a free-standing ambulatory surgery center which is a significant challenge.  Currently, Jim oversees the supply chain, information technology, and purchased services for the 13 ASCs managed by Sovereign Healthcare.  He also works on all new center development which includes the architectural planning, construction management, and operational implementation of the centers with his clinical partner at Sovereign.

He has led the review of the electronic medical records and practice management systems for implementation at the centers.  All 13 centers were implemented in 14 months with precision accuracy  and strong physician buy-in to the change.  The new systems are a focal point in the operational excellence of the centers.

Jim excels at the oversight of the Supply Chain function for Sovereign by bringing significant cost savings and ensuring supply availability during the stressful time of COVID.  His oversight of purchased services additionally ensures the smooth operations of the centers.

Jim’s career reflects a passion for enhancing healthcare access and quality across the full continuum of care. Prior to joining Sovereign Healthcare, he served as Chief Operations Officer for Share Our Selves (SOS), a network of federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) providing comprehensive medical, dental, behavioral health, and social services to underserved communities in Orange County. During his tenure, Jim oversaw the growth of SOS into a six-site network serving both adult and pediatric patients—demonstrating his commitment to aligning mission-driven healthcare with operational discipline.

Earlier in his career, Jim spent more than sixteen years at Hoag Hospital, where he held successive leadership roles including Vice President of Strategic Development and Vice President of Operations & Facilities. In these roles, he was instrumental in building and managing a wide range of support and ancillary services across a three-hospital system. From laboratory and pathology to urgent care, rehabilitation, and executive health, Jim ensured that each area met the high standards of care and efficiency required by one of Southern California’s premier healthcare systems. His strategic insights helped Hoag develop partnerships and new programs that aligned with the evolving needs of patients and providers alike.

Jim was part of the team that developed and launched Hoag Orthopedic Institute (HOI).  His strong knowledge of orthopedics and spine surgery provided a strong foundation to complement his experience with the facility’s operations to assist with the development of the leading orthopedic specialty hospital.  This is one of the most successful joint ventures with physicians and Hoag Health System.

Jim’s operational expertise was further shaped during his earlier roles at Pacifica Hospital, Friendly Hills Healthcare Network, Owen Healthcare, and Anaheim General Hospital, where he oversaw critical support services including supply chain, biomed, radiology, lab services, cardiopulmonary, and engineering. These formative leadership positions laid the groundwork for his holistic understanding of hospital and clinic operations, and instilled a lifelong dedication to system-wide improvement.

Jim holds an MBA from Pepperdine University and a Bachelor’s degree in Health Policy and Administration from Penn State University. He has further honed his leadership skills through programs such as the California Healthcare Leadership College and Harvard’s Managing Healthcare Delivery certification. His top skills—healthcare operations, healthcare management, and hospital systems—are not just professional competencies, but core to his identity as a collaborative, forward-thinking executive who continually drives progress across healthcare organizations.

Respected for his calm, measured leadership style and deep operational knowledge, Jim Rice is known among peers and partners as someone who brings clarity to complex systems and vision to evolving care models. Whether optimizing day-to-day functions or steering strategic partnerships, Jim’s work consistently reflects a dedication to building healthier communities through exceptional care delivery and thoughtful innovation.

Character
Jim Rice leads with integrity, consistency, and a deep commitment to serving both patients and healthcare partners. His steady leadership across mission-driven and high-performance organizations reflects a personal dedication to operational excellence and compassionate care.

Knowledge
With more than 30 years of healthcare leadership experience, Jim brings deep expertise in hospital operations, facility management, strategic development, and physician-partnered care models. His academic background in health policy and administration, paired with advanced training and certifications, reinforces his wide-ranging operational and clinical insight.

Strategic
Jim has a proven ability to guide organizations through complex growth, from expanding FQHC networks to developing new partnerships within large hospital systems. He aligns innovation with practical execution, helping healthcare entities evolve with both vision and sustainability.

Communication
Jim is a thoughtful and effective communicator who fosters collaboration across clinical, administrative, and executive teams. His leadership style promotes transparency and trust, enabling cross-functional teams to work cohesively toward shared healthcare goals.