50 Most Influential Physician Executives – 2016

Dr. Jonathan Perlin's healthcare experience has been broad and varied, with a resume touching industry, government and advocacy. As president of clinical services and chief medical officer at Nashville-based HCA, Perlin, 55, brings strong research credentials to the publicly traded hospital chain, tackling issues ranging from MRSA prevention to reducing the number of early elective deliveries. While at HCA, he took a 2014 assignment as a special adviser to the Veterans Affairs Department at a time when the agency was facing allegations of mismanagement in its healthcare services, including long waits to receive care. "I think it's fair to say the VA has lost the trust of the American public and of the veterans themselves," Perlin said during his time there. "I'm working on not only reducing the waiting times for veterans, but also ensuring transparency in all aspects of performance." Perlin last year served as chairman of the American Hospital Association and in October was elected to the National Academy of Medicine.

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