Seattle Children’s Hospital has announced the appointment of Dr. Christopher Longhurst as its new chief executive officer, effective January 5, 2026. Longhurst currently serves as the chief clinical innovation officer at UC San Diego Health. His selection follows a rigorous search by the hospital’s board of directors and highlights his extensive experience in healthcare leadership.
Dr. Longhurst joined UC San Diego Health in November 2015, initially appointed as the chief medical officer by then-interim CEO Patricia Maysent. Under his leadership, the health system has consistently improved its quality scores in annual assessments. Notably, UC San Diego Health achieved recognition on the prestigious honor roll by U.S. News and World Report for two consecutive years, marking a significant milestone as the first adult hospital in the region to earn such accolades.
Longhurst’s academic credentials include a medical degree and a master’s degree in science and medical informatics from Stanford University. He is board certified in both pediatrics and clinical informatics. Prior to his tenure at UC San Diego, he served as the chief medical information officer at Stanford Children’s Health, where he began his career in medicine after obtaining a bachelor’s degree in molecular biology.
Innovative Leadership and Digital Transformation
Maysent praised Longhurst’s contributions in a recent communication to UC San Diego Health staff, emphasizing his role in bridging the clinical and digital aspects of healthcare. Longhurst leads the Joan & Irwin Jacobs Center for Health Innovation, which focuses on applying advanced digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, to improve clinical outcomes. His team has gained national attention for its work, particularly in developing real-time analysis systems to predict sepsis in emergency department patients.
In addition to his innovation efforts, Longhurst played a pivotal role in establishing California’s first mass COVID-19 vaccination clinic in collaboration with the City of San Diego and the San Diego Padres in early 2021. Reflecting on his nearly decade-long journey at UC San Diego, he cited the COVID initiative and the creation of the Jacobs innovation center as standout experiences.
Maysent highlighted Longhurst’s leadership in enhancing quality measurement and improvement at UC San Diego Health, stating, “Dr. Longhurst’s deep understanding of the complex interplay between our academic health system, medical school, and research university has been instrumental in driving strategic innovation across our entire enterprise.” She noted his success in implementing cutting-edge digital strategies that have significantly improved patient safety, care quality, and health equity.
As Dr. Longhurst prepares to transition to Seattle Children’s Hospital, his vision for healthcare innovation and commitment to patient-centered care will be key assets in his new role. Seattle Children’s looks forward to leveraging his expertise to enhance its healthcare services and further its mission to provide exemplary care to children and families.
