Jonathan B. Perlin, M.D., Ph.D., M.H.S.A., M.A.C.P, F.A.C.M.I

Recognized as one of the nation’s most influential health leaders, Dr. Jonathan Perlin has provided visionary direction for the Veterans Health Administration and HCA Healthcare, improving care for millions worldwide.

As Deputy and Under Secretary for Health of the VHA, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Perlin was nominated by the President and served as the senior-most physician in the Federal Government. He led the VA, the nation’s largest integrated health system, to benchmark clinical performance and oversaw full implementation of its EHR. Perlin initiated the Million Veterans Program, mapping genomes of one million veterans to better understand disease and therapy and prevent injury to service members. He oversaw VA support of U.S. emergency medical response following September 11 and efforts through Hurricane Katrina without injury or loss of life of patients or staff.

But his impact to the health care industry and the health of Americans doesn’t stop there.

As Chief Medical Officer and President of Clinical Services at HCA Healthcare, Perlin led HCA to build a clinical data warehouse as the basis for a learning health system, which uses data from 32 million annual patient encounters to inform and improve care. This model provides the foundation for landmark clinical trials that identified ways to nearly halve healthcare-associated infections and prevent elective pre-term deliveries to improve outcomes for mothers and babies. He guided HCA and U.S. policy to require influenza vaccination for health care workers to prevent transmission to patients.

Dr. Perlin has received many awards for his career achievements, including recognition as the 10th Honorary Green Beret and member of the Special Forces Association. His pioneering leadership in large-scale use of EHRs led the Obama administration to appoint him inaugural and three-time chair of the HHS Health I.T. Standards Committee, and he was 2015 Chair of the American Hospital Association. A member of the National Academy of Medicine, Perlin co-chairs NAM’s “Action Collaborative on Countering the U.S. Opioid Epidemic.” He serves as Chair of the VA’s Special Medical Advisory Group, Vice-Chair of the National Quality Forum, and member of the Congressional Budget Office Panel of Health Advisors and Medicare Payment Advisory Commission.

A champion for improving health care, accomplished researcher and innovative leader, Dr. Perlin is a 2019 inductee of the Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame.