Dignity Health Mercy General Hospital Welcomes Tadren Kennedy as New Chief Operating Officer

(Sacramento, CA) – (October 22, 2025) – Dignity Health Mercy General Hospital is pleased to announce the appointment of Tadren Kennedy, MBA, MPH, FACHE, as Chief Operating Officer. 

Kennedy brings more than a decade of executive leadership experience in hospital and health-system operations. In his new role, he will oversee hospital operations and collaborate closely with clinical and administrative teams to ensure the continued delivery of exceptional, compassionate care to patients and families across the Sacramento region. 

“Tadren is an exceptional leader whose strategic insight and genuine compassion for people make him a perfect fit for Mercy General,” said Steven Foster, President and CEO of Mercy General Hospital. “His experience improving performance and expanding access to care will strengthen our ability to serve our growing community with the quality and kindness our patients expect.” 

Kennedy most recently served as Chief Operating Officer of Keck Medicine of USC - Verdugo Hills Hospital in Los Angeles, where he led strategic initiatives that improved financial performance, expanded surgical and imaging services, and significantly increased patient satisfaction. He previously held executive roles with Ochsner Health, HCA Healthcare, and Forrest Health.

“It’s a privilege to join an organization so deeply rooted in compassion and community,” Kennedy said. “I look forward to collaborating with our talented physicians, nurses, and staff to build on Mercy General’s 100 year legacy of excellence.” 

Kennedy holds a Master of Business Administration from Belhaven University and a Master of Public Health in Health Administration and Policy from the University of Southern Mississippi. He is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and a former NCAA Division I student-athlete and Academic All-American.

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About Dignity Health

Dignity Health is a multi-state nonprofit network of 10,000 physicians, more than 60,000 employees, 41 acute care hospitals, and 400-plus care-centers, including community hospitals, urgent care, surgery and imaging centers, home health, and primary care clinics in Arizona, California, and Nevada. Dignity Health is dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality, and affordable patient-centered care with special attention to the poor and underserved. Dignity Health is a part of CommonSpirit Health, a nonprofit health system committed to advancing health for all people and dedicated to serving the common good. For more information, please visit our website at www.DignityHealth.org.