AHA names chief medical officer, president and CEO of HRET

Jay Bhatt, D.O., will join the AHA in September as chief medical officer and president and CEO of the Health Research & Educational Trust, overseeing the association’s clinical leadership and health activities. Bhatt will lead the AHA’s quality activities in several areas, including HRET, the Institute for Diversity in Health Management and Association for Health Improvement. He also will direct physician engagement activities and provide leadership on policy issues. Bhatt is currently the chief health officer for the Illinois Health and Hospital Association. He oversees its Institute for Innovations in Care and Quality, and he is president of the Midwest Alliance for Patient Safety. “Jay has been a leader in efforts to improve quality and patient safety, and a real innovator in transforming health care,” said AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack. “We’re excited to have him join us, and know he will make valuable contributions to the AHA and the entire health care field.”