Steven Packer, MD, President and CEO of Montage Health, receives honorary degree

By Walter Ryce

Dr. Steven Packer, President/CEO of Montage Health, received an honorary Doctor of Science degree at Cal State Monterey Bay’s commencement ceremony on May 18. 

CSUMB President Vanya Quiñones nominated Packer to honor his contributions to advancing healthcare excellence for our community and developing the next generation of healthcare professionals. The nomination was reviewed by the Academic Senate, and confirmed by the Trustees of the California State University. 

Packer held the positions of chief of staff for Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula and medical director of its intensive care unit, before he was appointed president and CEO in January 1999.

Under his leadership, the local nonprofit healthcare system has grown considerably, changing the name of its parent company to Montage Health in 2016 to better reflect the montage of health and wellness services provided through the hospital and its sister companies.

During his tenure, Packer has overseen the implementation of numerous initiatives to improve and expand access to care, including the hospital’s Pavilions Project adding 120 new patient rooms, development of the Carol Hatton Breast Care Center, construction of the Ryan Ranch Outpatient Campus, and the creation of Montage Medical Group. Under his leadership Montage Health has also expanded access to essential services with the opening of wellness centers in Marina and Salinas, three urgent care clinics, the creation of Monterey County’s first Medicare Advantage Program, Aspire Health Plan, and, most recently, the opening of a state-of-the-art campus for its youth mental health program, Ohana.

"We are so proud to be awarding Dr. Steven Packer an honorary doctorate at our commencement ceremony in May for his dedication to our Otter Raft,” Quiñones said. “As President and CEO of Montage Health, he has consistently provided support to our healthcare programs and students at Cal State Monterey Bay. Through both financial contributions, such as scholarships, as well as clinical placements that allow our students to gain hands-on experience, he and his company have been important partners." 

As a former member of the CSUMB Foundation Board, Packer was a strong champion in the development of both CSUMB’s Nursing and Physician Assistant programs. Under Packer’s leadership, Montage Health has supported CSUMB’s College of Health Sciences and Human Services with nearly $1 million for programs and scholarships. In addition, CSUMB nursing and physician assistant students have completed clinical rotations at every Montage Health location in Monterey County, and numerous alumni work for the healthcare system. 

Packer said that CSUMB has earned his support because of its vital role in the community, and lists several ways he’s seen the university contribute to greater health and welfare: 

• Nearly 50% of CSUMB’s physician assistant graduates are practicing in the region
• The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program has helped many working registered nurses advance their educations
• The Speech and Language Pathology program has supplied hospitals with a well-trained workforce in a specialty that is difficult to fill
• Social work students are helping patients address social determinants of health, and caring for the mental health needs of children and adolescents 

“I am particularly inspired by the university’s unique focus on promoting opportunities for first-generation college students,” Packer said. “I don’t know of any other university where more than 50% of students are the first in their family to attend college.”

Packer said he is especially proud of the Montage Health Foundation Scholars program, which financially supports a number of CSUMB nursing students, its 10-month Minorities in Medicine program, and the one-on-one mentorship that Montage Health leaders engage in with students.  

Quiñones said that conferring an honorary degree on Packer is especially timely as the university focuses on expanding health programs that serve the region.

"As we focus on growing our healthcare programs at Cal State Monterey Bay to meet the needs of our diverse community, we look forward to continuing our strong partnership with Dr. Packer and Montage Health,” Quiñones said.

Packer said he was surprised and humbled to learn that he was receiving this honor from CSUMB. 

“Throughout my career, I have tried to always be guided by doing what is most needed to meet the healthcare needs of our patients and our community,” he said. “And so it is deeply gratifying to receive this recognition for my work as a leader, as a mentor, and as a supporter of CSUMB.”