Ikenna ‘Ike’ Mmeje is taking over the reins of Doctors Hospital of Manteca coming from Tenet’s Sierra Vista Hospital in San Luis Obispo. 

Mmeje pronounces his name as “May-jay” and is succeeding Nicholas Tejeda who transferred on to Houston, Texas.

The hospital’s new chief executive officer is expected to be in his office by the last week of September.

Mmjeje was named the chief operating officer at the San Luis Obispo facility a year ago April where he was responsible for the oversight in the hospital’s daily operations and ancillary operations such as pathology, radiology, pharmacy and plant operations at what is the largest private employer in San Luis Obispo.

Sierra Vista’s CEO Joe DeSchryver remarked that Mmeje “has the proven ability to manage a complex organization in a result driven manner while at the same time focusing on providing optimal outcomes and exceptional patient experiences.”

He had worked previously after working for seven years at Sutter Health:  Alta Bates Medical Center in Oakland for the past two years as administrative director – clinical and research services.  Prior to that he spent four years as Director of Operations at REDI, The East Bay AIDS Center and also completed a one-year Administrative Fellowship with Sutter Health.

Mmeje earned a Bachelor of Arts in Public health and Social Welfare from the University of California, Berkeley and completed a Master’s of Health Services Administration degree at the University of Michigan, School of Public Health.  Additionally, he is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executive, certified in Healthcare Research Compliance, and will be certified as a “Lean” Leader in continuous performance improvement.