AboutVenice HillsMedical Associates, Inc.
Venice Hills Medical Associates, Inc. (VHMA) is a Friendly Private Corporation (FPC) founded in November 2024, dedicated to supporting physicians in their professional pursuits. Our mission is straightforward: to allow doctors to focus solely on practicing medicine, free from the distractions and complexities of business management.
Our Purpose
At VHMA, we understand that physicians’ primary responsibility is to provide exceptional patient care. To that end, we handle the business side of medicine so our physician employees can dedicate their time and energy to what matters most—the health and well-being of their patients.
Employee Benefits
Recognizing the importance of a supportive work environment, VHMA offers its physician employees a comprehensive menu of benefits, including:
These benefits are designed to provide peace of mind and financial security for our physicians and their loved ones.
Meet Our Team
Dr. Thomas Gray,Owner/CEO
Dr. Gray is board-certified in emergency medicine and devoted 43 years to practicing in this demanding field before clinically retiring in 2018. Throughout his extensive career, he held numerous leadership roles, most notably serving as the Emergency Department Medical Director for 15 years, including 10 years at Kaweah Health. Dr. Gray also served as a Medical Staff Officer for eight years and as Chief of Staff for two years. One of his landmark accomplishments during this period was securing approval for and initiating Graduate Medical Education Programs at Kaweah Health, significantly impacting medical training in the region.
In addition, Dr. Gray served as Medical Director of Quality and Safety for six years and as Interim Chief Medical/Quality Officer for one year. His collaborative work with the Executive Team at Kaweah Health was instrumental in recruiting dedicated, community-oriented physicians across multiple specialties to the Visalia area.
Dr. Gray’s leadership and vision continue to guide VHMA’s commitment to supporting physicians and enhancing patient care.
Francine Garcia Hipskind,Practice Manager
Francine is a dedicated healthcare professional and a native of California’s Central Valley. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Community and Public Health from California State University, Fresno, and a Master of Public Health and a Master of Health Administration from Benedictine University in Lisle, IL.
With extensive experience in healthcare administration, Francine specializes in physician relations, tertiary care network development, quality improvement initiatives, management programs, and medical malpractice coverage coordination. Her expertise effectively bridges strategic healthcare operations with a strong commitment to community engagement and professional collaboration.
Outside of her professional responsibilities, Francine enjoys spending quality time with her family, reading, cooking, and exploring the many outdoor activities available in the Central Valley.