Cliff Fullerton, MD, MSc, assumed the role of president of the Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance on July 1, succeeding Carl Couch, MD, MMM, who led the growth of Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance to become one of the largest accountable care organizations in the country. More than 4,000 physicians comprise the ACO, along with all of the Baylor Scott & White Health facilities, and a number of post-acute care facilities. Dr. Couch will remain in leadership at Baylor Scott & White as vice president of innovation.
"Effective population health management is a cornerstone of our mission and approach," said Joel Allison, CEO of Baylor Scott & White Health. "The leadership of Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance is key to the mission we have in caring for those who put their faith in us. We can't thank Dr. Couch enough for his service, and we look forward to the continued innovation of quality care with Dr. Fullerton."
Dr. Fullerton has served as senior vice president and chief population health officer of Baylor Scott & White Health and chief medical officer for the Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance. He is a board-certified family physician and past president of Baylor Family Medical Center at Garland/North Garland.
Dr. Fullerton has served in many leadership roles throughout his career, including those in the Baylor Health Care System, HealthTexas Provider Network and Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance. He has volunteered as a board member of the Texas Academy of Family Physicians Foundation, member of the Dallas Fort Worth Business Group on the Health Diabetes Committee, clinical advocate with the Texas Medical Foundation and physician champion for the Texas Doctors' Office Quality – Information Technology program. He is currently a member of the Texas Medical Association Quality Council and Medical Services Organization task force.
Dr. Fullerton received his medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas. He completed his internship in general surgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center, Dallas, and his family practice residency at University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma City. He also earned a master's in Health Care Management from the University of Texas at Dallas.
Dr. Couch will serve as vice president of innovation for Baylor Scott & White and will co-chair the Baylor Scott & White Health Clinical Leadership Committee along with Robert A. Probe, MD. In Dr. Couch's new role, he will work to identify and pilot innovative applications developed to improve the quality and efficiency of health care delivery.
About Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance
Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance is an organization committed to delivering high quality health care in an efficient, integrated manner for the patients and communities it serves. Through its dedication to collaboration and accountability, Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance has quickly emerged as a leader in the industry for creating a care system that is more integrated, coordinated, and accountable; one that strives to deliver the right care, at the right place, and at the right time. Through its accountable, evidence-based, collective, proactive, value-driven efforts, Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance is a model for a better health care system for the future. Covering the North and Central Texas regions, Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance is a comprehensive accountable care network comprised of more than 4,000 primary and specialty care physicians, 46 hospitals, post-acute care facilities, and other stakeholders throughout the care continuum, assuming joint responsibility for achieving the Triple Aim™ framework: Better Care, Better Health, Better Value. For more information visit:
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Julie Smith
Julie.Smith@BaylorHealth.edu
214-820-7135
About Baylor Scott & White Health
As the largest not-for-profit health system in the state of Texas, Baylor Scott & White promotes the health and well-being of every individual, family and community it serves. It is committed to making quality care more accessible, convenient and affordable through its integrated delivery network, which includes the Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, the Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance and its leading digital health platform – MyBSWHealth. Through 51 hospitals and more than 1,200 access points, including flagship academic medical centers in Dallas, Fort Worth and Temple, the system offers the full continuum of care, from primary to award-winning specialty care. Founded as a Christian ministry of healing more than a century ago, Baylor Scott & White today serves more than three million Texans. For more information, visit: BSWHealth.com