Page 24 - March 2017

SALUTE TO PHYSICIANS

Cover Story: The Role of Today’s CMO

Continued from page 1
Technology has also shaped the role of up the ranks and eventually became the
physician executives, as well, especially Chief Medical Officer for one of the hospi-
since it drives a healthcare system’s strate- tals and then eventually the system.”
gic initiatives. Now that he’s been in this position for
“Moving forward, physician executives about 20 years, Dr. Marks says that one of
are going to be challenged with engaging his most meaningful career achievements
physicians in this era, in time of significant has been making that transition from an
change,” says Dr. Marks. “Physician lead- active lead practicing surgeon to an execu-
ers will be called upon in a greater and tive role.
greater time to deal with strategic develop- “I think that was a major achievement
ment and strategic initiatives in health- because it occurred at a time when I was
care.” not ready to do that, but it was thrust upon
me and I was able to make that successful
Physicians in Executive Positions transition,” recalls Dr. Marks. “I was then
Dr. Marks also expects to see more essentially able to parlay that transition
physician leaders moving into the execu- into our system as it grew and as the roles
tive suite, not only as CMOs, Chief and responsibilities of other Chief Medical
Quality Officers or population health lead- Officer positions and medical director
ers, but also as CEOs. “The advanced roles throughout our healthcare system, as
physicians will take on all of these roles, well as my own role, kept growing and
strategy development, policy develop- developing. Perhaps the current most
ment, and more will be called upon to lead meaningful achievement is starting this
large healthcare organizations as well.” organization on its transformation, down
All these advances are a dramatic shift an academic pathway, and developing our
from when Dr. Marks graduated from graduate medical education programs.”
medical school in 1973. He came from a As he looks ahead, one of the biggest
time when there was very little technolo- concerns right now for Dr. Marks is that
gy; in fact, the technology was so rudimen- the rate of change in healthcare is probably
tary that it was almost non-existent. the most dramatic that he’s ever seen since
“Now with the advent and fully the start of his career.
deployed electronic medical record system “I don't remember a rate of change in
in our healthcare system at Memorial, the this industry as dramatic as what we're
ability to get to information anywhere, seeing right now,” he says. “And it’s related
anytime, almost from any location, includ- to not only the Affordable Care Act and
ing imaging on patients, is probably the the expectations that are placed upon
most exciting and the biggest dramatic healthcare systems and physicians by both
change for me as a physician and as a peers and by patients, but the uncertain-
physician leader,” he says. ties that are sitting out there right now for
In his role, Dr. Marks is focused on a everybody that's involved in healthcare.”
variety of things. Graduate medical educa- He adds that this challenge can only be
tion and medical education programs fall met by people with a purpose and never
under his purview. He also oversees clini- forgetting why they went into medicine in
cal research and the office of human the first place, which essentially is to care
Specializing in Medically research. Bylaws, peer review and issues of for patients and do the best job possible.
new technology also fall under his super- “Also, to be able to do it in an efficient
Complex Patients vision. manner and in a way in which we provide
empathy and care for all those we care for,”
“I work with others on the executive
team in terms of dealing with population he adds. “I think those become the biggest
Kindred Hospitals are owned by Kindred
Healthcare, Inc., a national network of Long Term health and risk and whether we will be challenges, because the rapid rate of
Acute Care Hospitals (LTACH's). taking risk in the future,” says Dr. Marks. change is felt by physicians and nurses on
“Position employment matters, and gener- the frontlines probably more dramatically
Kindred Hospitals provide specialized, high quality al clinical policy guidelines tend to be in than anybody else in healthcare.”
care for acutely ill patients. For more than a decade, my area. The quality and safety division
we have fine-tuned the art of medically complex care. reports up to me as well.” Advice on Becoming a CMO
Thinking about becoming a CMO some-
Our services range from complex catastrophic Preparing for the Role of CMO day? Dr. Marks has some simple words of
illnesses that require intensive care, post-surgical medical Dr. Marks started in this field really advice.
rehabilitation to patients suffering from chronic diseases requiring respiratory and somewhat by accident over 20 years ago. “Practice a clinical specialty for at least
rehabilitative therapies. Kindred Hospitals provide outcome-oriented He was actively practicing as a general vas- 10 years before you go into the executive
cost effective care for patients with a wide spectrum of cular surgeon, and as a result of an illness, side of the house,” he says. “Either obtain
medical conditions.
had to change careers. Around that time, an MBA while you're getting your MD, or
after exploring several options, he was get an MBA when you're making a deci-
Admissions to Kindred Hospitals may be approached by the Vice Chief of Staff and sion to move into this role.”
recommended by physicians, acute-care hospitals, one of the administrators at Memorial, And most importantly, he adds, never
rehabilitation hospitals, managed care providers, case who encouraged him to become involved forget that you need significant clinical
management companies or by the patient’s family. in looking at quality and becoming a liai- expertise and background before you
In all cases family tours are encouraged.
son with the medical staff. attempt being a physician executive.
“My career path was somewhat not “I think it requires clinical creditability
planned, but more back door,” says Dr. and clinical knowledge to do this job
Kindred Hospital Kindred Hospital Kindred Hospital Kindred Hospital Marks. “I essentially parlayed that initial well,” he says. “These are going to be very
Fort Lauderdale Hollywood Coral Gables The Palm Beaches opportunity through education by work- exciting times both to practice medicine
1516 East Las Olas Blvd. 1859 Van Buren St. 5190 Southwest Eighth St. 5555 West Blue Heron Blvd ing with the other executives and adminis- and to practice executive leadership in
Ft. Lauderdale FL 33301 Hollywood, FL 33020 Coral Gables, FL 33134 Riviera Beach, FL 33418
trators and taking a variety of courses healthcare systems.”
954-764-8900, ext. 5136 954-920-9000 305-448-1585 561-904-8451
through The American College of
www.khfortlauderdale.com www.khsfhollywood.com www.khcoralgables.com www.khthepalmbeaches.com
Physician Executives. I gradually moved For more information, visit www.mhs.net.

24 March 2017 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News