Health System Executive of the Year HONOREE: Amar Desai, MD

Amar Desai, MD
President and CEO
Optum Pacific West

It was in medical school that Dr. Amar Desai discovered the impact business models, public policy, and social context can have on the practice of medicine. Later, as a practicing nephrologist, he saw he could have an impact at both the patient and population level by helping to shape a coordinated, value-based system. Since then, he has been committed to developing a physician-led, patient-first healthcare organization with a positive societal impact. 

Dr. Desai now leads the largest multi-payer, value-based care organization in the country and is leading the evolution of healthcare in the United States. As president and CEO of Optum Pacific West which includes California, Oregon, and Washington, Dr. Desai oversees more than 20,000 physicians caring for over 2.5 million patients. California accounts for 16,000 patients and two million patients.

His efforts have helped Optum exceed financial, operational, and clinical goals through unprecedented growth and retention, the creation of a digital ecosystem, improved clinical outcomes through coordinated care, innovation, and a focus on all aspects of the quadruple aim. 

As a result of Dr. Desai’s vision and leadership, Optum California represents one of the nation’s most compelling value-based care success stories. Optum California is excelling at value-based care and setting the bar for healthcare in America with 9 out of 10 patients preferring Optum doctors based on the 2019-2020 Press Ganey patient satisfaction survey.  Last year, Dr. Desai expanded the reach of value-based care by bringing population health full-risk capabilities to the traditionally fee-for-service markets of Oregon and Washington. 

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