Pali Momi Medical Center names Nhelda Aguda as new VP of hospital operations

Pali Momi Medical Center has named Nhelda Aguda as its new vice president of hospital operations. She takes over from Mathew Loughlin, who recently moved into a new leadership role within the same healthcare network. Aguda brings decades of nursing and management experience to the position.

Aguda has spent 25 years in nursing, with 15 of those in leadership roles. Before this appointment, she served as director of patient care services at Pali Momi. Her background includes overseeing clinical teams and improving patient flow within the hospital.

Mathew Loughlin, her predecessor, had been vice president of hospital operations until his recent promotion. He joined Hawaii Pacific Health in 2001 as a graduate nurse in the emergency department. Over the years, he took on multiple responsibilities, including ED charge nurse, hospital house supervisor, and manager of patient flow.

In 2016, Loughlin transitioned into risk management before eventually becoming chief risk officer for Hawaii Pacific Health. His departure from the operations role marks the end of a long tenure in direct hospital leadership.

Aguda now steps into a key position at Pali Momi, where she will oversee daily hospital operations. Her appointment follows a structured leadership transition within Hawaii Pacific Health. Loughlin's move to chief risk officer reflects the organisation's focus on strengthening governance and safety protocols.