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Chris DeRienzo, MD, Neonat/Perinatology, Chicago, IL

ChrisDeRienzoMDMPP, FAAP

Neonat/Perinatology • Chicago, IL

Chief Physician Executive @ AHA

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Summary

  • Dr. Chris DeRienzo is a dedicated husband, a proud father, a mediocre triathlete, and author of the book Tiny Medicine: One Doctor’s Biggest Lessons from His Smallest Patients (available in paperback). He’s also a physician committed to improving America’s health, a frequent keynote speaker, and an advisor to companies ranging from early stage to the Fortune 50.

    Recognized by Modern Healthcare, Becker’s, and Triangle Business Journal, Dr. Chris loves bringing together the people, process and technology needed to drive transformation. He is proud to serve as SVP, Chief Physician Executive of the American Hospital Association, where he is responsible for helping develop, implement, and advocate for strategies and resources to support America’s hospitals and health systems, as well as leading the AHA’s physician leadership agenda and serving as a key spokesperson on clinical issues. He is also a practicing neonatologist and has served on multiple Boards and Advisory Boards including current service on the Quality Committee of the Board of Directors for Mercy Health (Chesterfield, MO).

    Dr. Chris’s previous roles include serving as System Chief Medical Officer of WakeMed Health and Hospitals in Raleigh, NC, where he helped lead the system’s COVID response, create a robust clinical transformation program, and built the systems, processes, and teamwork needed to reach A/A/A Leapfrog designation for three cycles in a row. He also previously served as Chief Quality Officer for Mission Health, where his data-driven, analytics-enabled approach helped propel Mission back to recognition by IBM Watson as a Top 15 Health System in 2017 and 2018, and as Chief Medical Officer of AI-based company Cardinal Analytx, where he led the company’s clinical and health economics portfolios through a period of significant growth and a $22 million funding round.

    Dr. Chris lives with his family, two incredibly energetic dogs, one decidedly not energetic cat, and a flock of chickens in Nort

Education & Training

  • Duke University Hospital
    Duke University HospitalFellowship, Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, 2011 - 2014
  • Duke University Hospital
    Duke University HospitalResidency, Pediatrics, 2009 - 2011
  • Duke University Hospital
    Duke University HospitalInternship, Pediatrics, 2008 - 2009
  • Terry Sanford School of Public Policy
    Terry Sanford School of Public PolicyMPP, Health Policy, 2005 - 2008
  • Duke University School of Medicine
    Duke University School of MedicineClass of 2008
  • NICHD COSTEP Program
    NICHD COSTEP ProgramExternship, 2006
  • Brandeis University
    Brandeis UniversityBS, Biology, Magna Cum Laude, 2003

Certifications & Licensure

  • NC State Medical License
    NC State Medical License 2008 - 2025
  • American Board of Pediatrics Pediatrics
  • American Board of Pediatrics Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine

Awards, Honors, & Recognition

  • Finalist, David C. Leach Award ACGME, 2012
  • Senior Scholarship Award Recipient 2008
  • Appleseed Teaching Award Duke University School of Medicine, 2008, 2011
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Publications & Presentations

PubMed

Journal Articles

  • The Duke GME Patient Safety and Quality Council.  
    DeRienzo CM, Am J Med Qual. 2012;27(suppl 2):1 30S-31S

Books/Book Chapters

  • Oxford American Handbook on Sports Medicine. 
    Chapter: The Female Athlete 
    Page 519 - 541DeRienzo CM, Squire DEditors: Bytomski J, Moorman C.OUP, New York

Abstracts/Posters

  • Neonatal Handoffs.
    DeRienzo, C, Horvath M, Lenfestey R, Ferranti J, AAP National Conference and Exhibition, New Orleans, LA
  • Pediatric Handoffs at Duke – Housestaff Leading the Change.
    DeRienzo, C et al, .” DUHS 7th Annual Patient Safety and Quality Conference, Durham, NC
  • The Duke GME Safety, Quality, and Handoffs Initiative.
    Boggan J, Westreich K, Sadun R, DeRienzo C, DUHS 7th Annual Patient Safety and Quality Conference, Durham, NC
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Lectures

  • The Duke GME Safety, Quality, and Handoffs Initiative: Empowering Housestaff to Lead the Change. 
    UHC Annual Confernece. Chicago, IL
  • National Trends in Pediatric Ambulatory Care Sensitive Hospitalizations. 
    AMA MSS/RFS Annual Poster Session. Chicago, IL
  • Safer Handoffs – Part 3. 
    North Carolina Quality Center / California Hospital Patient Safety Organization Joint Webinar Series
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Authored Content

  • It’s Time to Believe in Each Other Again12/26/2017

Press Mentions

  • Ensuring Health Care Quality in Rural America
    Ensuring Health Care Quality in Rural AmericaMarch 10th, 2023
  • 7 Recent Chief Medical, Nursing Officer Moves
    7 Recent Chief Medical, Nursing Officer MovesDecember 29th, 2022
  • Wake County Opens 11th Drive-Through COVID-19 Testing Site
    Wake County Opens 11th Drive-Through COVID-19 Testing SiteJanuary 26th, 2022
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Grant Support

  • Feedings, Tranfusions and Necrotizing EnterocolitisThrasher Research Fund - Early Career Award2011–2013

Committees

  • President, Durham Orange County Medical Society 2013 - Present
  • District IV Representative, AAP Section on Perinatal Pediatrics - TECaN Executive Committee 2011 - Present
  • Director, Durham Orange County Medical Society - Board of Directors 2009 - Present
  • Chair, North Carolina Medical Society - Residents and Fellows Section 2009 - 2011
  • Trustee, American Medical Association Board of Trustees 2006 - 2008
  • Delegate, American Medical Association - Student Governing Council 2004 - 2005

Professional Memberships

Dr. Chris DeRienzo, Dr. Chris DeRienzo, MD, Dr. C DeRienzo