50 Most Influential Physician Executives – 2015
Rank: 8
Karen DeSalvo
Head, Office of National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, HHS
Dr. Karen DeSalvo, 49, is the fifth physician to be named head of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology at HHS, serving in that role since early 2014. She leads the ONC's many health IT initiatives, including its prominent role in the $29 billion electronic health-record incentive payment program. Last fall, she was given the added duties of acting assistant secretary for health at HHS. Before her appointment at ONC, DeSalvo was the health commissioner for New Orleans and senior health policy adviser for New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu.