NCQA names Dr. Ari Robicsek as inaugural Chief Medical Officer. Physician-scientist and healthcare analytics leader joins NCQA to advance digital quality measurement, data-driven innovation and patient-centered outcomes. June 30, 2026. Washington, D.C. - June 30, 2026 - The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) today announced the appointment of Ari Robicsek, MD, as its inaugural Chief Medical Officer (CMO). Dr. Robicsek joined the organization on June 29, 2026, bringing more than two decades of experience at the intersection of clinical medicine, data science, healthcare analytics and innovation to deepen NCQA's clinical leadership and accelerate its quality modernization agenda. "The creation of the CMO role reflects NCQA's commitment to meeting this moment in healthcare, as interoperable data, the rapid growth of AI and a shift toward outcomes that matter most to clinicians and patients continue to reshape the landscape," said Dr. Vivek Garg, NCQA President and CEO. "I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Robicsek to help lead this critical work. He is an accomplished physician-scientist whose experience building advanced analytics capabilities and translating data into actionable clinical insights makes him the ideal leader - not only to help us modernize quality measurement, but to define the next generation of digital, outcomes-focused quality infrastructure that better supports clinicians and patients." Dr. Robicsek joins NCQA from Providence, where he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Analytics & Research Officer. There he led the system's data science, product development and research teams, and spearheaded the Value-Oriented Architecture (VOA) initiative - a framework that uses sophisticated data science to identify and disseminate care delivery patterns that improve quality, efficiency and consistency at scale. During his time at Providence, he also established the Providence Clinical Innovation Institute, raising millions of dollars to test digital technology and new models of care. "NCQA has spent more than three decades building the quality infrastructure that American healthcare depends on. That legacy is extraordinary, and it is what drew me to this role," said Dr. Robicsek. "I am joining at what I believe is a pivotal moment for NCQA and for healthcare. The convergence of interoperable data, digital measurement capabilities and advances in AI creates an unprecedented opportunity to reimagine how we define, measure and improve quality. I am excited to help usher NCQA into a new era of quality measurement that is digitally enabled, scientifically rigorous, and, above all, more patient-centered." Previously, Dr. Robicsek served as Vice President of Clinical Analytics and Associate Chief Medical Information Officer at NorthShore University HealthSystem, where his team received multiple national honors for information technology innovation. He is also the Founder and Chief Analytics & Research Officer of Arclight Intelligence, a healthcare innovation consulting firm. A physician-scientist by training, Dr. Robicsek holds an MD from the University of Toronto and completed an Infectious Diseases Fellowship at Harvard Medical School. He has authored and co-authored more than 130 academic publications with over 15,000 citations, including work published in Nature and JAMA. He is an inventor on patents related to clinical decision support systems. About NCQA NCQA is an independent nonprofit organization that defines and drives healthcare quality through accreditation, standards, performance measurement, and expert support. For more than 35 years, NCQA has advanced transparency, accountability, and enabled healthcare organizations to deliver better outcomes for patients. NCQA's Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS(R) is one of healthcare's most widely used performance improvement tools. Learn more at ncqa.org. Follow NCQA on X @ncqa and on LinkedIn linkedin.com/company/ncqa. Media Contact * Save Save your favorite pages and receive notifications whenever they're updated. You will be prompted to log in to your NCQA account. * Email Share this page with a friend or colleague by Email. NCQA do not share your information with third parties. * Print Print this page. * Share Share this page with a friend or colleague by Email. NCQA do not share your information with third parties.

Welcoming its new Board Chair. Providence Mission Hospital Foundation is proud to welcome Board Chair Brandon Biegenzahn, president of McDermott + Bull Executive Search and a former corporate attorney. Brandon brings strong leadership experience and a deep commitment to service. His connection to Mission Hospital is personal. He and his wife, Alexa, welcomed their children at Mission and, after their first son was born, experienced firsthand the exceptional care of the NICU team. "I wanted to find a way to give back to the community that has given so much to my family," Brandon shares. "Mission Hospital is the only philanthropic organization I know that has the ability to serve every single member of our South Orange County community." Brandon lives in Coto de Caza with Alexa and their sons, Bowen and Beckett, and looks forward to helping advance the Foundation's mission in the years ahead. Donate today. Together, Supportmissionhospital can provide care that transforms lives, now and for years to come.

A Champion for patients and philanthropy. Providence Mission Hospital honors Joseph Barrera, M.D. Providence South Division Philanthropy honored 12 physicians at its 2026 Physician Champion Awards, held February 28 at The Langham Huntington in Pasadena. Each was recognized for helping to create a culture of philanthropy at their medical campuses and for partnering with their foundations to advance priorities that strengthen care in their communities. Representing Providence Mission Hospital Foundation, endocrinologist Joseph Barrera, M.D., was named this year's Physician Champion. The award celebrates physicians who extend their impact beyond the bedside by working closely with philanthropy teams to strengthen programs, inspire generosity and expand what is possible for patients and families. Clinical excellence meets commitment to community For nearly two decades, Dr. Barrera has been a trusted presence for patients navigating complex endocrine conditions. Known for his thoughtful approach and steady reassurance, he combines deep clinical expertise with a genuine commitment to the individuals and families he serves. "Dr. Joseph Barrera is a deeply respected endocrinologist and the kind of physician you're grateful to have in your corner," said Melanie Wolf, DO, chief medical officer of Providence Mission Hospital. "Not just because he's incredibly skilled, but because he truly cares about the person in front of him." A dedicated member of the Mission Hospital Foundation board, Dr. Barrera is a passionate advocate for the hospital's work and an enthusiastic partner in building relationships with donors who want to make a difference. "Dr. Barrera is an enthusiastic fundraising ally and a committed partner," said Nicole Balsamo, chief philanthropy officer for Providence Mission Hospital Foundation. "He consistently steps forward to meet with grateful patients, participate in donor visits and help strengthen the relationships that fuel our ability to grow programs and expand care." By sharing his perspective as a physician and championing the hospital's mission, Dr. Barrera helps connect donors more deeply to the work happening every day at Mission Hospital, work that transforms lives across South Orange County. Donate today. Together, Supportmissionhospital can provide care that transforms lives, now and for years to come.