Leadership role
VP of Medical Affairs
A physician executive who leads a hospital's medical staff and physician-related quality, credentialing and relations.
Reporting and scope
Typically a physician executive who reports to the hospital President or CEO, or to a system Medical Director / CMO. Authority covers the medical staff and physician-related quality and performance in a hospital or health system.
Core responsibilities
- Oversees medical staff credentialing, privileging and peer review
- Works with the organized medical staff and its leaders on bylaws and policy
- Leads physician quality and patient safety efforts with nursing and quality staff
- Manages physician contracts and medical directorships
- Supports accreditation and regulatory surveys
- Acts as a link between physicians, administration and the board
How it differs
Medical Director / CMO is the top physician executive; in many hospitals the VP of Medical Affairs holds that job under this title, so match on scope. VP of Quality leads quality programs and may not be a physician.
By organization size
In a single community hospital the role may be part time alongside clinical practice. In health systems it is usually full time at each hospital, with a system CMO above.
Filings from the last five years mapped to this role commonly report titles such as: VP Medical Affairs; VP, Medical Affairs; VP of Medical Affairs; VP of Medical Services; VP - Medical Affairs; Vice President Medical Affairs