50 Most Influential Physician Executives – 2017

Dr. Jonathan Perlin, in his multiple roles at giant for-profit hospital system HCA, provides leadership for clinical services and performance improvement. He brings strong research credentials to the chain, tackling issues ranging from MRSA prevention to reducing the number of early elective deliveries. Before joining HCA in 2006, Perlin was undersecretary for health in the U.S. Veterans Affairs Department. As chief executive of the Veterans Health Administration, Perlin led the nation's largest integrated health system. In 2014, Perlin took a sabbatical from his role on the senior leadership team at HCA to serve as a special adviser to the VA at a time when the agency was facing allegations of mismanagement in its healthcare services.