James Leo, MD, is the new chairman of the MemorialCare Physician Society, a voluntary, physician-led organization that reports directly to the Fountain Valley, Calif.-based MemorialCare Health System Board of Directors.
Here are seven things to know about Dr. Leo.
1. He is a MemorialCare Health System physician executive and a 28-year member of the Long Beach (Calif.) Memorial Medical Center medical staff.
2. Dr. Leo, who is board-certified in internal medicine, critical care and emergency medicine, is also currently medical director of best practice and clinical outcomes for MemorialCare Health System.
3. Previously, he served as associate CMO and medical director of clinical quality at Long Beach Memorial from 2004 to 2011.
4. During his tenure, he spearheaded formation of Long Beach Memorial's Rapid Response Team which allows hospital personnel to respond immediately to patients at the earliest sign of a decline in their clinical status, according to a news release. He also helped lead MemorialCare's implementation of guidelines for the National Surviving Sepsis Campaign.
5. John Bishop, CEO of Long Beach Memorial, Miller Children's & Women's Hospital Long Beach and Community Hospital Long Beach, was complimentary of Dr. Leo and his work. "Dr. Jim Leo has been a remarkable leader at Long Beach Memorial and throughout MemorialCare Health system, embodying the highest standards of clinical quality," he said in a prepared statement. "This has been clearly demonstrated through his leadership on many critical initiatives that advances our work in clinical outcomes, patient safety, wellness and best-practice, evidence-based medicine."
6. In his newest role as chairman, Dr. Leo will do the following, according to a news release:
- Advance the MemorialCare Physician Society's efforts in developing and implementing clinical best practices
- Enhance technology that assists in the realization of best practice medicine and collection and reporting of clinical outcomes
- Expand education and publish materials that advance best practice medicine
- Assist physicians in optimizing patient care and involving patients in shared decision-making
- Improve the efficiency and effectiveness of EMRs in hospitals, outpatient settings and physicians' offices
7. Dr. Leo takes on his new role as the MemorialCare Physician Society governing board celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2016.
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