Regional Chief Medical Officer Collaborative Group Update

During the current COVID 19 illness outbreak, physician leaders from across the region joined together to share insight, plans, and goals for serving all. The group just endorsed and disseminated guidelines on using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a highly advanced means of supplying blood flow and oxygen to the most severely ill. These guidelines came from an expert consensus group across western Pennsylvania led by Holt Murray, MD and will aid care everywhere, including sites with or without the ability to deliver ECMO. Similarly, guides on use of intensive care resources including beds and ventilators are coming, based on groundbreaking work by Douglas White, MD. Across Pennsylvania and the country, this work is now used by others. This is an example of the wide impact of our regional health care experts and the ability of all to combine skills and talent in times of need. The physician leaders across the region continue to share plans and help lead care through all the region during this pandemic. The Regional Chief Medical Officer group includes Michael Cratty MD - Heritage Valley Health System; Carol Fox MD - Excela Heath System; David Rottinghaus MD – Butler Health System; John Six MD – Washington Hospital System; Ali F. Sonel MD – VA Healthcare System; John Sullivan MD – St Clair Hospital; Donald Whiting MD – AHN; and, Donald M. Yealy MD – UPMC. Dr. Debra Bogen, Director of the Health Department, today commended and thanked the group for their collaboration on this important guidance.