Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital announced Tuesday that Marlee Lauffer has been appointed president of Henry Mayo Newhall Foundation and Vice President, Marketing and Communications of Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital.

Lauffer is leaving The Newhall Land and Farming Co., where she has served as spokeswoman and director of community relations since 1989 and as vice president of marketing and communications since 1994.

“We are delighted to have Marlee, an experienced communicator and innovative strategist, lead our Hospital Foundation,” said Roger Seaver, President and CEO of Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital. “Marlee’s years of experience with the Santa Clarita Valley business and nonprofit communities, her personal commitment to our hospital and her strong leadership skills make her a natural for this role.  Marlee will lead our Foundation and campaign cabinet as they embark on a major fundraising campaign. In addition to guiding the Foundation, we will also utilize her considerable marketing and communications expertise to help the Hospital tell our story to expanded audiences.”

Lauffer, a graduate of UCLA, joined Newhall Land in 1989 with initial responsibility for public and media relations, and later, investor relations and master marketing. Over the years, she has skillfully built community awareness and support for development projects while directing an award-winning branding campaign that positioned Valencia as a premier community and laid the foundation for Newhall Land’s future success. She was promoted to Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Newhall Land in 1994 and has earned a reputation as an innovative leader, effective communicator and strong community partner. She has long supported many area nonprofits, including the Hospital, the SCV Chamber of Commerce, Child and Family Center, Boys and Girls Club Foundation, the WISH Education Foundation, and is a Founding Director of the Bank of Santa Clarita.

“Henry Mayo is a dynamic, respected and growing institution and I am thrilled to be a part of its future success,” said Lauffer. “My career at Newhall Land has been focused on helping the company create a great quality of life.  Access to excellent healthcare is absolutely critical to all residents and businesses alike. It’s a unique part of my professional story that Newhall Land helped to establish the Hospital 40 years ago and now I will be directly involved in its future growth. And from a personal standpoint, it’s where my daughter was born.  The opportunity at Henry Mayo is very exciting and a natural fit!”

Lauffer, a Valencia resident, will begin her new position at the hospital on Sept. 14.

ABOUT HENRY MAYO – Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital is a 238-bed not-for-profit acute care hospital serving the Santa Clarita Valley since 1975. Henry Mayo is an Advanced Primary Stroke Center and a Heart Attack Receiving Center (STEMI). The hospital features state-of-the-art Inpatient facilities, a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Catheterization Lab, Infusion Center, Breast Imaging Center and an Outpatient Surgery Center. Additional services include cardiovascular, trauma, emergency, intensive care, neonatal intensive care, maternity, surgery, nursing, wound care, spine and joint, behavioral health, and acute rehab, as well as cancer, imaging, lab, digestive, respiratory services and physical and occupational therapies. Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital is located at 23845 McBean Parkway, Valencia, CA 91355-2083. For more information, visit www.henrymayo.com or call (661) 253-8000.