SAINT FRANCIS NAMES SURENDRA P. KHERA, M.D., CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER

Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center has appointed Surendra “Sunny” P. Khera, M.D., of Simsbury, as Chief Medical Officer (CMO).

            Previously named to the interim CMO role in early May, Dr. Khera has recently overseen clinical activities throughout the Hospital, systemwide quality initiatives and the daily operations of the Medical Staff Office. 

Dr. Khera will continue in his current role as Section Chief of Hospital Medicine and Academic Inpatient Medical Service Program (AIMS) Director at Saint Francis Hospital and at Johnson Memorial Medical Center.

“Dr. Khera has demonstrated the vision and leadership skills that will benefit Saint Francis’ employees, their families and our patients and their families,” said Christopher M. Dadlez, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Over the years, he has worked closely with many of our physicians and staff, and he has built relationships that will serve him well in this role. He is known for his compassion and respect, and his patients and colleagues hold him in high esteem.”

            Dr. Khera joined Saint Francis in 2006, and was Founder/Program Director of the AIMS Hospitalist Program and the first Section Chief of Hospital Medicine. That program has now grown to a complement of 30 Hospital Medicine specialists, plus support staff.

            “Dr. Khera will be a key member of the executive team,” said John F. Rodis, M.D., Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer. “He is a proven leader who is committed to enhancing the Hospital’s ability to provide the very best care to our patients.”

            Dr. Khera earned his medical degree from Burdwan Medical College in India. Upon graduating from medical school, he completed his residency and served as chief resident in internal medicine at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport. He is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and a member of the Society of Hospital Medicine.

A member of the Society of Hospital Medicine since 2000, Dr. Khera recently finished a two-year term as President of the Connecticut Chapter, Society of Hospital Medicine. He was a recipient of the Thomas R. Preston, M.D. Teaching Award for Excellence in Teaching from the University of Connecticut Internal Medicine Residency Program in 2006 and 2007.

Dr. Khera completed an Executive Fellowship Program in Patient Safety from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2007. He is currently enrolled in a Master's Program in Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety at the Jefferson School of Population Health in Philadelphia, PA.    Dr. Khera is a member of the Society of Hospital Medicine National Subcommittee on Quality Improvement.

The Saint Francis Care Administration and Education Council honored Dr. Khera with the first of its Faculty Fellow Awards earlier this year, recognizing his contributions to medical teaching at the Hospital.