About us

Our hospital leadership teams are dedicated to continually improving our services, abilities and safety practices. They ensure our patients and our communities get access to the high-quality care they need and deserve.

Alejandro Romero, Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Since May of 2024, Alejandro has served as the CEO of Las Palmas Medical Center. Alejandro is a graduate of Leadership Osceola, Florida, and served as the NFD Hispanic Colleague Network Executive Chapter Sponsor. Prior to relocating to El Paso, Texas, Alejandro served as the CEO of HCA Florida Poinciana Hospital in Kissimmee, Florida.

With several decades of healthcare experience, Alejandro began his HCA Healthcare career at Del Sol Medical Center in El Paso in 2008. Since then, he has been promoted to various leadership roles, and in joined the HCA West Florida Division in 2015 as part of the chief operating officer (COO) division development program. In 2017, he was promoted to COO of Methodist Hospital and Methodist Children’s Hospital in San Antonio. Shortly after that, in 2019, he was promoted to COO of Methodist Hospital Metropolitan, also in San Antonio.

An El Paso native, Alejandro earned his undergraduate degree from University of Phoenix and his Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) from the University of Texas at El Paso.

Alejandro has a passion for developing and mentoring future leaders, and integrating himself into the communities where he resides. In his free time, he enjoys playing pickleball, running and spending time hosting family and friends.

Jacob Stercula, Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Jacob Stercula was named COO of Las Palmas Medical Center in December 2023. Prior to this, Stercula was the assistant COO at Lake Granbury Medical Center in Granbury, Texas.

For the past five years, Stercula served in many administrative roles at Lake Granbury Medical Center, where he provided direct support to several departments, including laboratory, wound care, therapy, radiology, environmental services and cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation. As assistant CEO, Stercula led plans for a $16 million freestanding emergency facility that provided access to critical care services, coordinated a $3.5 million catheterization laboratory renovation and oversaw the completion of an upgraded women’s services department.

Stercula earned his master’s degree in healthcare administration and bachelor’s degree in neuroscience from Trinity University in San Antonio. He is also a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Oscar Vega Jr. MD, Chief Medical Officer (CMO)

Oscar Vega was named CMO in January 2018. Before assuming this role, Vega practiced anesthesiology and pain management in El Paso for 32 years.

Vega initially obtained privileges at Las Palmas Medical Center in July of 1985. As a practicing physician, he has served in various leadership roles, beginning in 1992 as chief of anesthesiology, followed by appointments to numerous medical staff committees, culminating in chief of staff in 2000.

Born and raised in El Paso, and a graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso, he earned his Doctor of Medicine (MD) at the University of Texas Medical School in San Antonio.

Christine Walker, Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)

Christine Walker was named CNO at Las Palmas Medical Center in January 2022. Walker brings more than 20 years of healthcare experience in various service lines, including women's services, emergency and critical care. She previously served as associate chief nursing officer (ACNO) at St. David's South Austin Medical Center in Austin, Texas.

Walker has also served as the senior director of the transformation office at Texas Health Resources in Arlington, Texas. She led system integration, reliable care blueprinting and patient journey initiatives for the most extensive faith-based, non-profit healthcare delivery system in North Texas.

Walker received a doctor of nursing practice degree from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, in 2016. She also holds a Master of Science in nursing and Master of Business Administration, as well as a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Phoenix.

We regularly publish articles when we add new services, departments and advanced technology, so you can see all the benefits our hospital has to offer.

Communication with you and your family is an important part of your care plan when you're with us. We are open to questions, comments and feedback any time.