November 8, 2002

Torchiana selected to lead MGPO

David F. Torchiana, MD, chief of MGH Cardiac Surgery, has been selected as the new chairman and chief executive officer of the Massachusetts General Physicians Organization (MGPO) effective Jan. 1, 2003. Torchiana will succeed Peter L. Slavin, MD, who is assuming the role of MGH president at the beginning of the year.

"Dr. Torchiana is a superb leader and a highly skilled physician, who has provided thoughtful and strong direction to Cardiac Surgery for the past five years," Slavin says. "The MGPO will benefit greatly from his leadership, wisdom and insight. I look forward to working closely with him in the years ahead."

Torchiana says he welcomes the opportunity to advocate for, support and work on behalf of physicians of the MGPO. "The MGH practices a special brand of medicine," Torchiana says. "Every decision made at this institution is driven by the overriding goal of doing whatever is in the best interest of each patient. I hold that value in high esteem, and I am proud to be associated with a place that is so committed to doing the absolute right thing for the patients it serves. I see my role at the MGPO as someone who can encourage and help physicians continue practicing this special kind of medicine."

Torchiana says he is committed to ensuring that the MGPO provides a wide range of beneficial services for physicians, including managed care contracting, finance and administration, marketing,business development, information systems, human resources, customer service and communication. He also wants to find innovative and effective ways to measure and improve the quality of care. In addition, he will be focusing his attention on two particularly difficult issues: providing fair and equitable compensation for doctors, and helping physicians achieve a satisfactory balance between professional and family demands.

Torchiana has spent his entire professional career at the MGH, arriving at the hospital in 1981 as a surgical resident. After completing his residency in cardiothoracic surgery, he spent a year as chief resident. He joined the MGH's Department of Surgery in 1989. Torchiana is the author or co-author of more than 100 publications and abstracts. He received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School in 1981.