Johnston Named COO of Physicians Organization
When the Brigham and Women’s Physicians Organization first formed in 1998, Bill Johnston was responsible for facilitating the merger of seven independent physician foundations to establish one organization. Now, as chief operating officer of the BWPO, he is helping to refocus efforts on operations to position the BWPO for success in a time of health care change.
“We’ve done a lot of great work in the past 10 years,” said Johnston, who stepped into the new role in April. “Now that the BWPO is a more mature and established organization, we are continuing to evolve in order to provide the best possible support for our physicians in a challenging time for health care.”
The BWPO supports physicians and their departments in carrying out the vision of BWH and helps streamline operations, such as billing and financial components, payer contracting, medical management and network development. It also focuses on efforts in work-life balance and provides opportunities in leadership and volunteerism for physicians.
Johnston served as the chief financial officer of the BWPO for the past nine years. During that time, he helped to ensure outstanding financial performance and patient accounting.
“Bill has been a key member of the BWPO executive team since its early conceptual stages and has successfully overseen the transition of seven independent organizations and nine hospital departments to form an integrated and high-functioning physicians’ organization,” said Allen Smith, MD, MS, president of the BWPO. “Over the years as the BWPO has matured, Bill has taken on additional responsibilities, such as Business Solutions (IDX), Physician Human Resources and Payer Relations.”
Prior to joining the BWPO in 1998, Johnston worked at Quincy Hospital, where he held leadership positions in reimbursement and budget. He received his master’s in public administration from Suffolk University and his BS in public health from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.