MultiCare names new Chief Medical Officer

MultiCare Health System has named David Chen, MD, the new Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Deaconess Hospital and Valley Hospital.

In this role, Dr. Chen has direct responsibility for the quality of medical care provided and medical staff relationships for both hospitals. He will provide medical leadership for clinical and business planning, clinical performance, medical quality assessment/assurance, risk management, continuing medical education and medical staff credentialing and governance activities. He starts Oct. 2, 2017.

Most recently, Dr. Chen served as the CMO for Bozeman Health, in Bozeman, Montana, where he also briefly spent time as interim President & CEO. Prior to his work with Bozeman Health, he spent 12 years with MultiCare Health System on the west side of Washington, including the last two as Vice President of Medical Affairs at MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital.

“We’re pleased to have found a leader who embodies the excellence of service to our patients, doctors, staff and community that is crucial to our mission,” said David O’Brien, MD, Senior Vice President & Chief Executive, MultiCare Health System East Region. “It is so important to have a leader with an understanding of the unique opportunities we have here in Spokane and across the Inland Northwest.”

He received his medical doctorate from Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, California. He began his career as a physician, practicing internal medicine and hospitalist. He has also held a long list of academic and research appointments over the course of more than two decades of clinical work.

“Excellence in health care comes from a collaborative effort,” Dr. Chen said. “I feel fortunate to have found a community of professionals that is already collectively working toward excellence.”