BWPO Names Cook as CEO, President

Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Brigham and Women’s Physicians Organization in December named Paul Cook, MD, MHA, the president and CEO of the BWPO. Cook, who for the last four years has served at Indiana University (IU) School of Medicine as the executive associate dean of Clinical Affairs and president and CEO of the IU Medical Group, officially joins BWH March 1.

“Throughout our search and interview process, Paul impressed us with extensive experience in both academic and private medicine,” BWH President Gary Gottlieb, MD, MBA, said. “Throughout his career, he has distinguished himself through his passion to improve quality and safety for patients and efficiency in the delivery of care.”

Steven Seltzer, MD, chairman of the BWPO and BWH chief of Radiology, said Cook’s leadership will prove invaluable to BWPO members. “Paul comes to us with a solid leadership track record in clinical excellence with an innate understanding of business and strategy demands in today’s challenging health care environment,” Seltzer said.

As president and CEO of the BWPO, Cook will lead faculty practices at BWH and share his wisdom and creativity as a key member of the senior management team. He will focus on strategy, clinical excellence and strengthening relationships with government, payors, affiliates and organizations to ensure the success of BWH’s clinical programs and academic departments.

Cook said he was attracted to BWH because of its “long reputation for excellence in its three-fold mission.” He said he is looking forward to the challenges of advancing the BWPO’s modern medicine business practices while maintaining and enhancing the hospital’s commitment to excellence in patient care, education and research.

Cook added, “I am committed to furthering our relationships with partnering and collaborating institutions and furthering the mission of the Brigham and Partners.”

Asked to define how he plans to attack his BWPO leadership role, Cook said: “I will be an advocate and a diplomat for BWH physicians among hospital leadership and Partners; second, I will run a sophisticated and efficient multi-disciplinary medical services organization; and third, I will serve as a strong advocate with third-party payors and government payors, regulatory bodies and lawmakers.”

Cook’s background in health care is highlighted by his time at IU and the University of Missouri School of Medicine, where he served in various leadership capacities, including: chairman of the University Physicians, medical director of Managed Care Program, director of Clinics, interim chief medical director of Ambulatory Care and vice chairman of University Physicians.

Cook holds a masters degree in Health Administration from the University of Missouri and received his MD and completed his surgical residency at the University of Oklahoma followed by ENT residency at Missouri. He has been an active member and office holder of various academic health care associations. Cook is a professor of Otolaryngology and head and neck surgery, and he spent several years in Indiana in clinical practice as an otolaryngologist and allergist before assuming his responsibilities in Missouri.

Cook and his wife, Mary, have two grown children, John and Laura. He enjoys classical music, museums and professional sports. Despite several years in Indianapolis, he said it will be easy to shift allegiances and root for the Patriots over the Colts.