Carolyn Caldwell, president and CEO of St. Mary Medical Center, has been named the 2021-2022 chairwoman of the chamber board, the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce announced Friday. Caldwell has served on the board the past four years.

“Healthy community is about opportunities, education and partnerships,” Caldwell said in the announcement. “Being a part of the chamber was one of the first things I did when I came to Long Beach because I know the work of a chamber can lead to a stronger, healthier community for all.”

Caldwell has 20 years of executive hospital leadership and more than 30 years of health care experience. Prior to moving to Long Beach in 2017, she served as the chair of the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce.

Originally from a small town in Alabama, Caldwell is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, a governor with the American College of HealthCare Executives,  a 2021 California Hospital Association board member, a past member of the American Hospital Association Region 6 Policy board and past chair of the AHA Institute for Diversity for Health Management.

Caldwell received a master’s degree in health care administration from Texas Woman’s University and spent 12 years in clinical services with a bachelor’s degree in zoology with a minor in chemistry.

“The role of the chamber board is to provide guidance as we champion for a stronger community,” Jeremy Harris, president and CEO of the chamber, said in a statement. “Carolyn has the passion, vision and leadership to help the chamber as it strives to unite the diverse community of Long Beach.”