Virginia “Ginny” Matthews
Project Director of the California Recovery Program
Since 2007, Ginny Matthews has led the California Recovery Program, which provides monitoring and case management services for healthcare professionals diagnosed with substance use disorders and mental illness. The program protects the public and helps participants return to work safely when they are fit for duty; it also covers a participant’s professional license so they can return to productive, healthy lives.
Ginny is also the program advisor to the Montana Professionals Assistance Program, which provides case management and monitoring services for Montana healthcare professionals.
Ginny is president-elect of the National Organization of Alternative Programs (NOAP). NOAP’s mission is to promote public safety through healthcare professionals’ participation in monitored rehabilitation and recovery as an alternative to license discipline, emphasizing fitness to practice and retention of competent professionals.
Before joining Maximus, Ginny served as Hospital CEO for Kindred Healthcare, assistant hospital administrator/chief nurse executive for Natividad Medical Center, vice president for Community Psychiatric Centers, Southern California Region, clinical director for Community Psychiatric Centers, and as a psychiatric nurse in direct care settings. She has more than 35 years of experience in healthcare delivery both in clinical and administrative settings.
Ginny holds both a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Business Administration degree. She is a registered nurse in California.
Get to know our leaders
What is your approach to leadership and mentoring?
You’ve got to have HEART: Humor, Ethics, Action, Respect, and Teamwork. I developed these ethical pillars early in my career and keep them in a heart-shaped frame on my desk to remind me of what is important to me and how to proceed when I am faced with a challenge.
What was a hard lesson you have learned professionally?
Good leaders are true to themselves. Despite the challenges you may face with your beliefs, your views, or your approach to solving a problem, know who you are and remain true to yourself.
How do you balance work and life responsibilities?
It takes a conscious effort to set boundaries to manage both work life and home life. It is easy to forget and let work and career goals supersede family time or personal interests. You can’t be effective professionally if you neglect what is important to you personally.
