2015 Gold Nugget: Irene Chavez
IRENE CHAVEZ
B.A. POLITICAL SCIENCE, 1979
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS
Chavez’s determination helped her overcome detours and earn a bachelor’s in political science from UTEP. After working in health care to pay for tuition, she decided to pursue a health care career to make a difference in people’s lives. She excelled in the field, ascending to COO and later CEO of Providence Memorial Hospital before moving to Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center, where she currently serves as senior vice president and area manager.