Chief Health Officer

Chief Health Officer

CommUnityCare Health Centers

Austin, Texas

The Opportunity

CommUnityCare (CUC) of Austin, Texas, has exclusively retained AMN Healthcare to lead the national search for a visionary and collaborative physician executive to serve as its next Chief Health Officer (CHO). As a cornerstone of the rapidly growing healthcare safety net in Central Texas, CommUnityCare anchors a comprehensive, primary care-centered ambulatory platform within a novel, equity-focused public health system.

This is a critical senior executive leadership role responsible for the strategic direction, integration, and performance of all health-related services across the CUC system. The CHO will advance the delivery of high-quality, equitable, and patient-centered care, ensuring alignment with CUC's mission to serve those with the greatest need. The ideal candidate is an inspirational leader who can drive clinical innovation, foster a culture of transparent collaboration, and ensure operational excellence. This is a builder role for a leader who will serve as the primary architect of the ambulatory clinical enterprise, designing the new infrastructure, teams, and integrated systems required to execute strategy and create a sustainable system for the future.

This is a compelling opportunity for a mission-driven executive with a personal commitment to serving vulnerable populations to shape the future of ambulatory care. The CHO must be a leader who thrives amidst ambiguity and can lead through significant change, working in a highly matrixed environment to build trust and consensus.

Organization Overview

CommUnityCare is one of the largest Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) systems in Texas. In partnership with Central Health, the local public Hospital District, CUC provides comprehensive primary care, dental, behavioral health, and women's health services to residents regardless of their ability to pay. Operating more than 30 locations, CUC focuses on improving access and advancing health equity in historically underserved areas of Austin and Travis County. As a teaching center of excellence, CUC is also home to nine medical residency programs affiliated with the University of Texas Dell School of Medicine.

CommUnityCare by the Numbers (CY 2024)

• 143,421 individual patients served
• 535,000+ medical and dental visits
• 93% of patients live below 200% of the federal poverty level
• 54% of patients are uninsured

Mission: To strengthen the health and well-being of the communities we serve.

Vision: Striving to achieve health equity for all.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer of CommUnityCare, the Chief Health Officer (CHO) is responsible for the strategic direction and performance of all health-related services. The CHO oversees a comprehensive portfolio including medical services, population health, quality and patient safety, and clinical informatics. The CHO drives clinical innovation, ensures regulatory compliance, and promotes integration across care settings to improve population health outcomes and operational efficiency. The CHO holds an indirect reporting line to the Central Health Chief Medical Officer to ensure system-wide alignment and collaborates closely with system leaders in a highly matrixed environment.

Goals and Objectives

The CHO will lead the continued transformation of CUC's clinical enterprise and must demonstrate meaningful progress within the first 12 to 24 months. Key objectives include:

• Establish Credibility and Build Foundational Relationships: Quickly establish professional and personal credibility with the CUC Board, executive team, providers, and care teams, as well as with leaders at Central Health and key community partners.
• Design and Build a Sustainable Clinical Infrastructure: Assess the current clinical operating model and design a scalable infrastructure to support future strategies. Recruit, develop, and build a cohesive, high-performing clinical leadership team.
• Assess and Align the Clinical Vision: Evaluate the current state of clinical services, quality programs, and population health initiatives. In collaboration with stakeholders, refine and articulate a unified clinical vision and strategic plan.
• Champion Quality and Patient Safety: Reinforce a robust culture of quality, driving measurable improvements in clinical outcomes, patient experience, and the reduction of health disparities.
• Drive Population Health and Value-Based Care Strategy: Accelerate the development and execution of population health strategies and advance the transition to value-based care models.
• Ensure FQHC Compliance and Readiness: As the designated HRSA Clinical Director, ensure the organization maintains a state of continuous readiness for all regulatory and accreditation surveys.

Candidate Qualifications

Education/Certification

• Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree is required.
• Board Certification in a relevant medical specialty is required.
• Must be eligible for medical licensure in the state of Texas.
• A master's degree in a relevant field (e.g., MPH, MHA, MBA) is strongly preferred.

Knowledge and Work Experience

• A minimum of 10 years of progressive clinical experience, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role within a complex healthcare setting.
• Deep experience in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), academic health centers, safety-net systems, or public health systems is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success leading a large-scale, complex medical group practice, with an emphasis on building and strengthening primary care services.
• Strong financial and operational acumen with a track record of integrating clinical, operational, and financial priorities into a cohesive strategy.
• A sophisticated understanding of quality improvement, patient safety, and regulatory compliance in an ambulatory setting (HRSA, FTCA, Joint Commission).
• A deep, demonstrated commitment to serving mission-driven organizations and community-based populations.

The Community

Located in Central Texas, Austin is the state capital and the seat of Travis County, which is consistently rated one of the best places to live in Texas. The region offers highly rated public schools, a vibrant and diverse culture, and a welcoming community. Famous as the "Live Music Capital of the World," Austin boasts a thriving arts scene, unique restaurants, and endless entertainment. With a warm climate and abundant green spaces, including parks, lakes, and trails, the city provides ample opportunities for outdoor adventure for individuals and families alike.

Procedure for Candidacy

Nominations, referrals, and applications from interested candidates should be directed to the AMN Healthcare executive search team:

Russell Podgorski Senior Consultant, C-Suite & Academic Executive Search (425) 306-1131 Russell.podgorski@amnhealthcare.com

Hisham Siddiqi Consultant, Executive & Physician Leadership Search (469) 491-5074 Hisham.siddiqi@amnhealthcare.com