Baptist names first chief medical officer for clinical improvement

Dr. Hoda Asmar has joined the Baptist Memorial Health Care team as the chief medical officer for clinical improvement. In this role, she will lead the development of a system designed to improve the quality and efficiency of care. She will also oversee case management and physician advisors, and work with the organized medical staff, Baptist Medical Group and hospital chief medical officers to further support their efforts to deliver high-value care.

In addition to her new role, Dr. Asmar will continue serving as the chair of the board of directors for the American Association for Physician Leadership. She also is an active fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the American College of Physicians. During her career, she has not only served as a physician leader, but has developed and deployed case management services and a six-hospital tele-ICU effort, led a pioneer accountable care organization, and served as an examiner for the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program.

Before coming to Baptist, Dr. Asmar was the senior vice president and chief medical officer for Comprehensive Pharmacy Services. She also held the role of senior vice president, chief medical officer at a highly integrated health care system, Presbyterian Healthcare Services in Albuquerque,NM, where she was part of the executive team overseeing the Epic electronic health record implementation.

“Dr. Asmar will be a true resource for our organization and for our physicians,” said Dr. Paul DePriest, Baptist Memorial Health Care’s executive vice president and chief operating officer. She has 15 years of experience in diverse physician leadership roles and is known nationally for her work.”