Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center has a new chief medical officer.
In the past, Legacy Hospitals had a systemwide chief medical officer. Now, as of May 1, each Legacy system has its own.
“The positions were created to work closely with hospital presidents and chief nursing officers to promote safe, high-quality care and clinical operations as well as to contribute to the medical center and service area’s strategy, growth and operations,” said Seth Podolsky, Legacy Health senior vice president.
Greg Saunders, a family practitioner who has been with Legacy since 2008, will fill the role at Salmon Creek Medical Center.
Saunders has held numerous leadership roles with Legacy Health, most recently as the regional primary care medical director. He is a graduate of the University of Washington School of Medicine, and he completed an internship and residency at the University of Wisconsin Medical School, Saint Mary’s Hospital. He is board certified in family medicine and most recently practiced at the Legacy Medical Group Camas facility and Fishers Landing facility.
“I’ve been in the community for a long time, but I’m new to Salmon Creek,” he said.
Originally from Alaska, Saunders is looking forward to getting to know the Pacific Northwest community even better.
“Over the past 14 years, I’ve noticed Legacy Health always lives up to its goal of doing the right thing,” he said. “Being a part of that mission to protect our community and strengthen our community is something I’m looking forward to.”
As chief medical officer, Saunders will be responsible for connecting staff and physicians, as well as connecting providers across Clark County. He will work regularly with the hospital president and chief nursing officer to improve hospital operations.
“We’ve been through this horrific time as a country with the stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said. “Our quality and safety remain high at Salmon Creek, but now is a good time to make some improvements. Strengthening our quality initiatives is the biggest task ahead, as well as supporting providers and making their lives better.”
Saunders’ main goal in the new role is to be a champion of equality and safety, he said.
“As an outpatient physician, I spent many years on quality councils and committees, and I have admired the work we do here at Legacy,” he said. “We’re very focused on excellent patient care and being a good partner in the community, and that’s something I plan to continue.”
