DO to lead American Hospital Association nonprofit

Internist Jay Bhatt, DO, MPH, will join the American Hospital Association (AHA) in September to serve as chief medical officer and president of the AHA’s Health Research and Educational Trust (HRET).

A nonprofit affiliate of the AHA, HRET seeks to use research and education to transform health care. Dr. Bhatt will be in charge of HRET’s clinical leadership and health improvement activities. He will also assist the AHA in other areas, including physician engagement and policy.

“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 in a statement. “We’re excited to have him join us, and know he will make valuable contributions to the AHA and the entire health care field.”

Previously, Dr. Bhatt was the chief health officer of the Illinois Hospital Association. Throughout his career, he has overseen projects that leverage data to improve public health. As Chief Innovation Officer for the Chicago Department of Public Health, he worked with researchers to use census and survey data to help high-risk women receive breast cancer screenings.