Dr. Velazquez was chief medical officer of OSF Health Plans for 13 years before transitioning to senior vice president of care management at OSF HealthCare in 2009. In 2017, he was appointed chief medical officer, a role where he leads the development of the system’s population health strategy, goals and programs. The initial aim is to improve quality, safety, and clinical performance and practice standards to achieve a CMS 5-star quality rating in ambulatory, home care and for every hospital by 2027. Dr. Velazquez supports nine clinical service lines, accountable care, care management services, quality, safety and risk, and credentialing verification organization across the system’s 18 inpatient clinics. He also oversees the “Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly,” which provides seniors the health and wellness support to remain independent. His leadership with accountable care at OSF resulted in ACO savings of more than $52 million in 2020 and 2021. In 2022, OSF saved $35 million over CMS benchmarks and earned a $25.9 million payback, while in 2023 it saved nearly $40 million and received $29.2 million. In 2024, it saved CMS $43.95 million and received a payback of $32.3 million. All paybacks are reinvested into patient care. In 2025, Dr. Velazquez championed modernization of medical staff bylaws across all facilities.
