UF Health Jacksonville announced March 14 it named Dr. Chirag R. Patel as chief medical officer.
Patel joined the hospital in 2019 and served as assistant chief medical officer since 2020.
He has also been medical director and chief hospitalist for the hospital’s Downtown and North campuses since 2019 and medical director for patient and provider engagement, the news release said.
He replaces Dr. David Vukich, who retired in January after 40 years at UF Health Jacksonville.
“Dr. Patel has had a tremendous impact on this organization since he first arrived and was a vital part of our successful navigation through the COVID-19 crisis, using his experience to help advise and guide leadership during that challenge,” UF Health Jacksonville CEO Patrick L. Green said in a news release. “He is well-respected within UF Health and the medical community, and we’re thrilled that he will be taking on this new role.”
Before coming to UF Health, Patel was on the leadership team at Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center from 2012-2019, where he served in multiple roles, including University Hospital clinical lead; medical director of quality and patient safety education; and associate division director for the Division of Hospital Medicine.
“As Chief Medical Officer, I see an opportunity to make a meaningful difference by implementing strategic initiatives, facilitating constant collaboration among multidisciplinary teams, and advocating for policies that prioritize patient well-being and access to quality care,” Patel said in the release.
Patel received a doctor of osteopathic medicine degree from Nova Southeastern University and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Ohio State University.