Overview
Dr. Chris DeRienzo is a dedicated husband, a proud father, a mediocre triathlete, and author of the book Tiny Medicine: One Doctor’s Biggest Lessons from His Smallest Patients (available in paperback). He’s also a physician committed to improving America’s health, a frequent keynote speaker, and an advisor to companies ranging from early stage to the Fortune 50.
Recognized by Modern Healthcare, Becker’s, and Triangle Business Journal, Dr. Chris is proud to serve as SVP, Chief Physician Executive of the American Hospital Association and President of the AHA’s 501(c)3 affiliate Health Research & Education Trust. At the AHA he is responsible for helping develop, implement, and advocate for strategies and resources to support America’s hospitals and health systems, as well as driving the AHA’s physician leadership agenda and serving as a key spokesperson on clinical issues. A double-boarded pediatrician and neonatologist, he is also an Adjunct Professor of Pediatrics at the Duke University School of Medicine and has served on multiple Boards and Advisory Boards including current service on the Quality Committee of the Board of Directors for Mercy Health (Chesterfield, MO).
Dr. Chris’s previous roles include serving as System Chief Medical Officer of WakeMed Health and Hospitals in Raleigh, NC, where he helped lead the system’s COVID response, create a robust clinical transformation program, and built the systems, processes, and teamwork needed to reach A/A/A Leapfrog designation for three cycles in a row. He also previously served as Chief Quality Officer for Mission Health, where his data-driven, analytics-enabled approach helped propel Mission back to recognition by IBM Watson as a Top 15 Health System in 2017 and 2018, and as Chief Medical Officer of AI-based company Cardinal Analytx, where he led the company’s clinical and health economics portfolios through a period of significant growth and a $22 million funding round.
Dr. Chris lives with his family, two incredibly energetic dogs, two decidedly not energetic cats, and a slowly shrinking flock of chickens.
Recognized by Modern Healthcare, Becker’s, and Triangle Business Journal, Dr. Chris is proud to serve as SVP, Chief Physician Executive of the American Hospital Association and President of the AHA’s 501(c)3 affiliate Health Research & Education Trust. At the AHA he is responsible for helping develop, implement, and advocate for strategies and resources to support America’s hospitals and health systems, as well as driving the AHA’s physician leadership agenda and serving as a key spokesperson on clinical issues. A double-boarded pediatrician and neonatologist, he is also an Adjunct Professor of Pediatrics at the Duke University School of Medicine and has served on multiple Boards and Advisory Boards including current service on the Quality Committee of the Board of Directors for Mercy Health (Chesterfield, MO).
Dr. Chris’s previous roles include serving as System Chief Medical Officer of WakeMed Health and Hospitals in Raleigh, NC, where he helped lead the system’s COVID response, create a robust clinical transformation program, and built the systems, processes, and teamwork needed to reach A/A/A Leapfrog designation for three cycles in a row. He also previously served as Chief Quality Officer for Mission Health, where his data-driven, analytics-enabled approach helped propel Mission back to recognition by IBM Watson as a Top 15 Health System in 2017 and 2018, and as Chief Medical Officer of AI-based company Cardinal Analytx, where he led the company’s clinical and health economics portfolios through a period of significant growth and a $22 million funding round.
Dr. Chris lives with his family, two incredibly energetic dogs, two decidedly not energetic cats, and a slowly shrinking flock of chickens.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Adjunct Professor in the Department of Pediatrics
·
2023 - Present
Pediatrics, Neonatology,
Pediatrics
Education, Training & Certifications
Duke University, School of Medicine ·
2008
M.D.