Rome Memorial Hospital names chief medical officer

ROME — Rome Memorial Hospital (RMH) has named Dr. Frank Ehrlich its chief medical officer (CMO), taking over for Dr. Ankur Desai, who has served as interim CMO since 2014.

Ehrlich most recently was the CMO at HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley in Kingston, where he was involved in the development of the system’s clinical-integration program and population-heath efforts, RMH said in a news release.

Ehrlich has more than 50 years of medical experience involving “many aspects” of both private practice and administration, according to RMH. 

He is also board certified in general surgery, pediatric surgery, emergency medicine and surgery for critical care/trauma, the hospital said. 

As a member of the hospital’s administrative team, Ehrlich will serve as a liaison between the medical staff and the hospital’s administration and staff. 

“Dr. Ehrlich has extensive experience in private practice and administration that provides him with the critical insights to help support Rome Memorial Hospital’s medical staff as the health-care environment undergoes transformation,” David Lundquist, RMH president and CEO, said in the hospital’s release. “Having worked with Dr. Ehrlich previously, I know that his leadership will be a tremendous asset to our hospital.”

Lundquist served as CEO at Health Alliance of the Hudson Valley before joining RMH on March 1.

“We’re also deeply grateful to Dr. Desai, who has diligently served as our interim chief medical officer for the last two years,” said Lundquist. “While maintaining a busy ob/gyn practice, Dr. Desai has provided the hospital and our medical staff with his leadership to advance our goals.”

Goal as CMO
Health-care delivery is undergoing “incredible changes,” Ehrlich said in the RMH release. 

“Having spent the better part of my career as both a private-practice general surgeon and an academic general surgeon, as well as a residency-program director and chairman of an academic department, I believe I have an understanding of the issues faced by every physician and practice today, whether that practice is primary care or specialty based,” said Ehrlich.

Ehrlich’s “primary goal” is to help the RMH medical staff to “adapt their practice to these health-care changes.” 

“The need for that assistance will vary from physician to physician and practice to practice. My job is to understand that need and to help those doctors build a bridge to encompass whatever their needs are in adapting to today’s healthcare delivery,” he added.

Ehrlich, a Buffalo native, earned his medical degree at the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, RMH said. 

He completed graduate medical education at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center; the Naval Hospital at Chelsea, Massachusetts; Boston City Hospital; and Lahey Clinic in Boston. 

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com