Leadership

As the physician shortage mounts, many leaders have found the number of physicians in leadership positions has also dipped. 

Nari Heshmati, MD, has been named by Fort Myers, Fla.-based Lee Health's Physician Group as chief physician executive.

Nari Heshmati, MD, former executive medical director for Optum Washington, has joined Fort Myers, Fla.-based Lee Health's Physician Group as chief physician executive, Dr. Heshmati shared with Becker's. 

Here are 15 physician leaders that have announced plans to retire or entered retirement in 2024, as reported by Becker's since Jan. 29:

Carla Braxton, MD, was named as director of physician professional development at the Houston Methodist Physician Organization.

A team at the University of Illinois (Champaign) is developing a series of virtual reality training modules  designed to improve cultural competency between physicians and patients, according to a July 22 report from WCIA.com

Former Tappahannock, Va., clinic founder and physician James Joseph Ledwith Jr., MD, died July 9 from complications following a bicycle accident on June 19, River County News reported. He was 66.

Among the biggest challenges facing physician-owned practices today include the rising cost of operations and the imminent threat of consolidation. 

Jose Romano, MD, is the new chair of the department of neurology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. 

Los Angeles-based Cedars-Sinai has appointed Peter Slavin, MD, the former president at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, as its CEO and president.