SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Dr. Conrad Vial was recently recognized by Modern Healthcare as one of the 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives of 2023. The complete ranking can be found in the June 19 issue of Modern Healthcare magazine. Profiles of all the honorees are available online at ModernHealthcare.com/50MostInfluentialClinicalExecutives2023.
Dr. Conrad Vial is currently senior vice president of Sutter Health and president of the Sutter Health Network. Previously he was chief clinical officer for Sutter Health.
Modern Healthcare’s 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives program acknowledges and honors individuals who are deemed by their peers and the senior editors of the news organization to be the leaders in the healthcare industry. Now in its 13th year, the list recognizes executives who have faced challenging operating conditions with innovative recruitment strategies, bold expansion maneuvers and an ongoing commitment to advocacy. The judges applaud these individuals for safeguarding their organizations while prioritizing patient care, population outcomes and consumer satisfaction.
In his current role, Dr. Vial leads Sutter Health’s continued transition to value-based care, working to build a clinically integrated network, align community physicians and medical groups, and strengthen employer relationships across the enterprise. In his previous role, Dr. Vial oversaw all facets of the organization’s clinical operations, including clinical strategy, clinical research and graduate medical education, quality and safety, digital patient engagement, mental health and addiction care, laboratory and pharmacy services, and patient experience.
Last August President Biden appointed Dr. Vial as the only physician to the National Infrastructure Advisory Council, advising the White House on how to reduce cyber threats and boost the security of the United States’ public works sectors. He is also on the board of the Integrated Healthcare Association, which brings California’s payers, providers, purchasers and other stakeholders together to work on ways to improve the industry.
He is board certified in both general surgery and cardiothoracic surgery and has practiced for 20 years as a cardiothoracic surgeon. Dr. Vial is particularly interested in structural heart disease, focusing on minimally invasive cardiothoracic surgery and catheter-based valve repair and replacement. He received his bachelor’s degree and medical doctorate from Stanford and conducted his general surgical and cardiothoracic surgical training at the university’s medical center. He earned his Master of Philosophy at Cambridge University in England, while also completing a postdoctoral fellowship in transplant immunology.
About the Award
The 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives awards & recognition program honors individuals in healthcare who are deemed by their peers and the senior editors of Modern Healthcare to be paving the way to better health through their executive responsibility, leadership qualities, innovation, community service and achievements inside and outside of their respective organizations. This program allows for readers to vote for their top choices and selected honorees are published in Modern Healthcare’s annual ranking.
