Chief Medical Officer
Sutter Health
Chief Medical Officer
Sutter Health
Not-for-profit integrated healthcare network managing hospitals
The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) is a senior executive role and a key member of the Sutter West Bay Medical Group (SWBMG) Executive Team, reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer. The CMO serves as the principal physician leader for the organization and serves in a close dyad partnership with the Ambulatory Chief Executive Officer, jointly accountable for clinical performance, physician engagement, access, quality, and overall ambulatory care delivery outcomes.
This is a highly visible and influential leadership position. Together with the Ambulatory CEO, the CMO shapes organizational strategy, aligns clinical and operational priorities, and leads group level and systemwide initiatives to improve care delivery, patient experience, and health outcomes across a complex, integrated healthcare environment.
This position is based in San Francisco, with leadership responsibility extending across SWBMG practices in San Francisco, Marin County, and regional and outreach locations throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
Scope of Leadership
The CMO provides executive oversight for clinical quality, patient safety, physician performance, and medical staff engagement across SWBMG. As the senior physician executive, the CMO partners in a physician–administrator dyad with the Ambulatory CEO, ensuring alignment between clinical priorities, operational execution, financial stewardship, regulatory compliance, and Sutter Health’s broader strategic objectives.
The role bridges clinical and administrative perspectives, fosters innovation in ambulatory care delivery, advances quality and access, supports physician wellbeing and leadership development, and strengthens SWBMG’s culture of collaboration, accountability, and excellence.
Key Responsibilities
· Serve in a dyad partnership with the Ambulatory CEO to lead and integrate clinical and operational strategy across SWBMG.
· Lead strategic and operational initiatives to advance clinical quality, patient safety, access, and patient experience.
· Represent the physician's voice in executive decision making, governance forums, and ambulatory operations oversight.
· Oversee physician recruitment, onboarding, development, and performance management in partnership with Service Line Chairs and executive leaders.
· Champion physician engagement, wellbeing, and leadership development.
· Partner with administrative and financial leaders to ensure effective resource stewardship, utilization management, clinical efficiency, and value-based care performance.
· Serve as a primary liaison with Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation (SPMF) and Sutter Health leaders for quality, compliance, and system integration efforts.
· Represent SWBMG in community, regulatory, and system level forums as directed by the CEO or Board.
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate is a respected, accomplished physician leader with strong clinical credibility and demonstrated success in medical group or health system leadership. They are strategic, collaborative, and data driven, with the ability to lead through influence, function effectively in a dyad leadership model, and drive results in a complex, matrixed healthcare environment.
A deep commitment to clinical excellence, equity, physician engagement, and patient centered care is essential.
· M.D. or D.O.; board certified in an appropriate specialty.
· Minimum of 10 years of clinical experience with progressive leadership responsibility.
· Significant experience in physician group administration, clinical operations, quality improvement, and value-based care.
· Demonstrated effectiveness working within a large health system and matrixed organizational structure.
· Eligible for and maintains an active California medical license.
· Advanced leadership or management training (MBA, MHA, MMM, or equivalent) preferred.
Sutter West Bay Medical Group provides a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support your professional growth, financial well-being, and work-life balance:
Why Sutter Health and Sutter West Bay Medical Group (SWBMG)
Sutter Health offers a uniquely physician‑aligned environment, large enough to support innovation and investment, yet local enough to preserve the autonomy, relationships, and purpose that matter to clinicians.
SWBMG is a premier multi-specialty medical group made up of nearly 500 clinicians practicing in the greater San Francisco service area. SWBMG works in partnership with Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation (SPMF), a non-profit organization providing care through its affiliation with SWBMG. Physicians work as a team to provide patient-focused care that encourages a sense of teamwork. SPMF provides physicians with an administrative infrastructure, allowing physicians to focus on patient care.
Why This Matters for You
Joining Sutter means more than stepping into a role - it’s an opportunity to:
Be Part of What’s Next
If you’re looking to combine meaningful clinical work with innovation and growth, this is your opportunity to make an impact.
Living in San Francisco
San Francisco offers a unique combination of professional opportunity, intellectual energy, and quality of life for physicians drawn to innovation and impact.
As a global hub for healthcare innovation, life sciences, and research, the city attracts forward-thinking clinicians and collaborators shaping the future of medicine. Its strong academic environment and commitment to equity and access create a compelling setting for advancing healthcare.
Outside of work, San Francisco offers an exceptional lifestyle, with world-class dining, arts, and culture alongside easy access to Northern California’s natural beauty, from coastal trails to wine country. The region’s diverse communities support both personal fulfillment and professional growth.
It is the policy of Sutter Health and its partners to provide equal employment for all qualified individuals; to prohibit discrimination in employment because of basis of race, color, creed, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, registered domestic partner status, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, ancestry, national origin (including possession of a driver's license issued to individuals who did not present proof of authorized presence in the U.S.), age, medical condition, physical or mental disability, military or protected veteran status, political affiliation, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical condition, genetic information or any other characteristic made unlawful by local, state or federal law, ordinance or regulation. We promote the full realization of equal employment opportunities through a positive continuing program within each medical group, company, hospital, department, and service area. Equal employment opportunities apply to every aspect of Sutter's employment policies and practices.
Not-for-profit integrated healthcare network managing hospitals
Sutter Health is a not-for-profit, integrated healthcare network serving Northern California. It operates a broad system of medical facilities—including hospitals, outpatient centers, and research institutes—to provide care for everything from routine checkups to complex surgeries. The network uses digital health tools and conducts clinical research to improve patient outcomes, and it reinvests earnings back into community health initiatives, medical research, and facility improvements. Revenue comes from patient services, insurance reimbursements, and government health programs. Its goal is to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care while expanding preventive care and wellness programs to improve long-term community health.
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