CEO Larry Payton

Larry Payton is the latest addition to Lea Regional Medical Center executive team.  He became the Chief Executive Officer in May of 2008.  Mr. Payton’s extensive administrative experience in the healthcare field will be an asset to Lea Regional.  He received his B.A. in Health Services Administration from St. Mary’s College of California and then went on to obtain his M.A. in Health Services Administration from the University of San Francisco.    He was the Vice President of several departments at Valley Children’s Hospital in Fresno, CA, before serving as COO at various hospitals.  His last position as CEO of Fallbrook Hospital prepared him for his current post here at Lea Regional.  Payton’s belief in the quality of Lea Regional Medical Center, combined with his vision for its continued growth, were motivating factors for his acceptance of the CEO position.

CFO Steven Smith

Bio coming soon!

CNO Melonie Ankerholz

Melonie Ankerholz is the Chief Nursing Officer at Lea Regional Medical Center. She was promoted from the Director of the Education Department in February 2007.  Prior to that, she worked as Nurse Supervisor, Nurse Manager and Clinic Manager with the Covenant Healthcare System.  Ankerholz also worked at Lea Regional in 1995 as the Head Nurse of Nursery, Labor & Delivery, Surgical and Post Partum floors.  Early in her career, she worked at Methodist Hospital of Dallas as a general nurse and charge nurse.

After receiving her Associate Degree in Nursing at New Mexico Junior College, Ankerholz obtained her Bachelors of Science in Nursing at Eastern New Mexico University.