Sky Lakes Names New Chief Operating Officer

Sky Lakes President and Chief Executive Officer David Cauble today named the newest member on his executive team who will fill a newly created position at the Klamath Falls medical center.

“It is my pleasure to announce that, after a nationwide search, John Timmerman, Ph.D., will be the Chief Operating Officer at Sky Lakes,” Cauble said. “This is especially exciting because this is a new position at Sky Lakes. I look forward to having John’s expertise to help support the complex needs of the organization.”

In the new role, Timmerman will provide additional support for the daily operational needs of the health system while also providing dedicated leadership focus and creativity to the health and wellness initiatives in our community, Cauble said. “John will be responsible for the organization’s performance excellence efforts that are focused on enhancing the patient experience and improving health system operations. In addition, he will have management responsibilities for several patient-care and community wellness departments.”

Timmerman will relocate to Klamath Falls from Missouri, where he is currently the Mercy Hospital Saint Louis Vice President of Operations, a post he has held since 2018. In his career, Timmerman has helped evaluate numerous healthcare organizations as the Chair of Judges for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, provided healthcare consulting for governments and institutions such as John’s Hopkins and New York Presbyterian while serving as the Chief Scientist at Gallup. His first role in healthcare was serving as the Quality Advisor for The Cleveland Clinic Foundation and developed their service standards and patient experience strategy.

“John will bring considerable experience and understanding of complicated systems and processes as well as an intimate familiarity with customer service,” Cauble said. “He also has a history of being active in the communities where he’s lived and shares my passion for helping to create a healthier community.”

Timmerman holds a doctorate in Management from Iowa State University and a master’s degree in Leadership and Innovation from Rochester Institute of Technology. He has served on the Board of Directors for St. Patrick Center in providing homeless services and the Executive Committees for the American Cancer Society and American Heart Association.

“I am looking forward to joining the Sky Lakes leadership team and excited to becoming an integral part of our Klamath Community,” Timmerman said.

Cauble earlier named Grant Niskanen, M.D., a long-time Klamath Falls physician, as the Chief Medical Officer, another new position at Sky Lakes. As CMO, Niskanen will bring increased focus and attention to care innovation, community health initiatives, and the support and development of Sky Lakes medical staff.