The San Diego 500, The Book of Influential Business Leaders, is the market’s most comprehensive product of people you should know in the business community. The 500 includes business leaders and executives who have founded or are running significant companies in terms of number of jobs, key products and services, experts who raise the level of the industry here and beyond and those who lead in the business community. The 500 is selected by the San Diego Business Journal newsroom.

Chris Van Gorder

CEO, Scripps Health

A hospital stay was the bridge between a career in law enforcement and health care leadership for Scripps Health CEO Chris Van Gorder, who worked as a cop before being injured on the job and forced to retire. Since becoming CEO of Scripps in 1999, he has led the $3 billion system from the brink of disaster to one of the nation’s most respected health systems and a spot on the Fortune magazine list of “100 Best Companies to Work For.” His first book, “The Front-Line Leader” – was published in November 2014. He received the American College of Healthcare Executives’ top honor – the Gold Medal Award. He serves as a reserve assistant sheriff in the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. Scripps Health, which employs more than 15,000, recently announced a $3 billion-plus facilities enhancement plan.

ALMA MATER: California State University, Los Angeles

BUCKET LIST: Trip to Australia, New Zealand and the Great Barrier Reef.

TOUGHEST CHALLENGE: The Scripps turnaround back in 2000-2001 and: sustaining it for more than 15 years.

FUN FACT: I love photography, especially sunrises and sunsets.