HomeNewsORANGE CITY AREA HEALTH SYSTEM NAMES CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER

ORANGE CITY AREA HEALTH SYSTEM NAMES CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER

Laird assumes new leadership, liaison role with health system

Marty Guthmiller, CEO for Orange City Area Health System (OCAHS), announced the appointment of Alan Laird, MD, to the position of Chief Medical Officer (CMO). This is a new role for the health system, and involves serving on the administrative leadership team, participating in strategic planning, developing and maintaining quality and patient safety initiatives, and serving as a resource and advisor to the medical staff.

“The implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is uncertain in many respects,” reports Guthmiller. “But one thing is certain — health care access and financing will change.  As part of our commitment —  our mission — of providing quality healthcare to our region, Dr. Laird, in this new position, will be instrumental in navigating the various wellness aspects of the many programs and insurance plans that healthcare consumers will face.”

Dr. Laird has served as a family practice physician with OCAHS since 1991. A native of Storm Lake, Iowa, Laird graduated from Northwestern College in Orange City, and received his medical degree from the University of Iowa College of Medicine. As part  of a team of 16 family practice doctors and advanced level practitioners serving in four OCAHS medical clinics, Laird will continue to see patients in the Hospers Family Practice Clinic in addition to serving in the new role of CMO.

“Putting a trusted physician in a leadership position is key to developing and implementing new ‘wellness’ models called for in the ACA,” said Guthmiller, “including a patient-centered, coordinated care approach to wellness across the populations we serve.”

Orange City Area Health System is a comprehensive health system including three family practice clinics; a medical clinic on the campus of Northwestern College; a sports medicine clinic; critical access hospital; diagnostic imaging, OB, and surgical services; physical therapy; home health and hospice; a senior living facility; and nursing homes. More information can be found at ocHealthSystem.org.