Chief Health Information Officer

Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) has retained Kirby Partners to support its executive search for a Chief Health Information Officer.

In September 2024, OHSU and Legacy Health announced their intention to integrate under OHSU Health. This integration will create a comprehensive, expanded health system offering high-quality, essential health care services to patients throughout Oregon, Southwest Washington, and beyond.

OHSU is an institution of higher learning, with medical, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, and public health schools. It also operates a system of hospitals and clinics. OHSU was ranked as the top hospital in Oregon by U.S. News & World Report (2022-2023). Six of the hospital’s adult specialties are among the top 50 nationwide.

OHSU’s role as Oregon’s public academic health center

As Oregon’s only public academic health center, OHSU:

• Cares for patients
• Educates doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists and other health care professionals
• Conducts extensive research, including clinical trials to test new ways to prevent, detect and treat illness

OHSU is also Portland’s largest employer and a statewide economic powerhouse.  Its state-of-the-art research facilities include the 320,000-square-foot Knight Cancer Research Building and the multi-university collaborative Robertson Life Sciences Building.

OHSU health care facilities

• OHSU Hospital
• OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital
• Hillsboro Medical Center (formerly Tuality Healthcare)
• Adventist Health Portland
• Clinics across Oregon

Hospital expansion project

OHSU’s Marquam Hill campus is undergoing a $650 million hospital expansion project.  The Hospital Expansion Project features a 14-story building:

• 128 new beds available upon opening
• Space for up to 64 additional beds in the future
• Expected completion date: April 2026

(OHSU’s total bed count will exceed 750 upon project completion.)

Position Overview

The Chief Health Information Officer (CHIO) provides executive leadership and management for OHSU Health toward the safe and efficient design, implementation, and use of clinical informatics solutions to deliver improvements to safety, quality, patient experience, and value. This includes:

• Providing expert clinical informatics advice and guidance
• Working collaboratively with others to ensure patient and clinical involvement in the planning, development, delivery, and evaluation of systems and services
• Championing the use of informatics as an enabler of change and quality improvement

The CHIO leads both strategic and operational initiatives for OHSU Health’s traditional and digital health solutions, with a focus on population health management and clinical work.  The role involves close collaboration with key leaders including the:

• VP for Health System Applications
• Chief Information Technology, Security and Privacy Officer
• Clinical leadership across ambulatory and inpatient settings
• Department Chairs and Nursing Executives
• Institute Leadership (Ophthalmology, Oncology, and Cardiovascular)

This position offers the opportunity to lead strategic healthcare initiatives while building strong stakeholder relationships across OHSU Health. The ideal CHIO will bring experience in delegation, team development, and collaborative leadership to effectively manage organizational priorities.

Reporting structure:

• Reports to the Chief Information Officer (CIO)
• Dotted-line reporting to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO)
• Leads the Clinical Informatics Department (5 direct reports, 62 indirect reports)

Location and work environment:

The selected candidate must reside in or relocate to the Portland area. OHSU embraces a flexible work model, with approximately 40% onsite presence required. The team operates in a predominantly remote environment allowing for a balanced approach to collaboration and independent work.

Key responsibilities: 

• Leads design, implementation, and use of clinical informatics solutions
• Provides expert informatics guidance and oversight
• Leads the Clinical Informatics department
• Ensures patient safety, quality, and operational efficiency
• Oversees EHR standards and implementation
• Supports population health management initiatives
• Participates in healthcare committees
• Ensures patient and clinical involvement in system planning and evaluation

Qualifications

Required:

• MD
• 5-7 years experience in medical information technology
• Informatics formal training or experience
• Experience leading healthcare informatics large-scale initiatives
• Epic experience

Preferred:

• MD licensed to practice in the state of Oregon
• Board-certified in clinical informatics
• Master’s degree: MBA, MHA, MS, MMM or equivalent
• Experience working in Academic Medical Center with close ties to community hospitals
• Experience in mergers/acquisitions

About Portland, Oregon

Scenic beauty perfect for active lifestyles

Portland is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, offering abundant trails, parks, bike paths, and green spaces throughout the city. Both the mountains and the coast are within a two-hour drive. Thanks to Portland’s mild climate, residents can enjoy year-round adventures—from hiking and skiing on Mount Hood to kayaking along the Willamette River.

A vibrant food and arts scene

Portland’s diverse food culture offers everything from high-end restaurants and creative food carts to artisanal coffee shops and local breweries. Year-round festivals, concerts, and sports events bring the community together.

Distinct neighborhoods 

Portland neighborhoods typically have unique characteristics but share walkable streets, community gardens, farmers’ markets, and plenty of parks. Local shops, cafes, and gathering spots foster a close-knit community feel, where residents connect and support small businesses.

A bike-friendly, eco-conscious city

Portland’s extensive light rail system and bike-friendly infrastructure make getting around easy. The city’s strong focus on sustainability and livability makes it ideal for those seeking a green-minded community.

Procedure for Candidacy

Final candidates should expect two interviews with Kirby Partners recruiters (including a video conference interview). You may be asked to complete our “Executive Profile” and submit references to be considered for presentation to the search committee.