Wake Forest Baptist CEO Recognized as 2014 Physician Leader By Becker’s Hospital Review

November 26, 2014

John McConnell, M.D., chief executive officer of Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, has been recognized as one of 100 physician leaders of hospitals and health systems for 2014 by Becker’s Hospital Review. Leaders featured on the list were chosen based on their health care experience, accolades and commitment to quality care.

McConnell was named the first CEO of Wake Forest Baptist in 2008. Since his arrival,  McConnell has overseen the legal integration of Wake Forest Baptist’s academic, research and clinical enterprises which was completed in 2011, formed a highly successful public-private partnership with Wexford Science & Technology to develop Wake Forest Innovation Quarter, a unique research and academic center in a blighted area of downtown Winston-Salem and supervised creation of a commercialization enterprise, Wake Forest Innovations, to translate the Medical Center’s research into viable biomedical technologies.

A noted urologist, McConnell joined the Dallas-based University of Texas Southwestern faculty in 1984. He held a number of clinical and administrative posts throughout his time there, including urology department chair, prostate disease center director, vice president for clinical programs and executive vice president for administration.

McConnell’s urology research accomplishments were recognized in 2004, when he was elected to the prestigious Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences. During his tenure as chair of urology, McConnell's department was ranked in the National Institutes of Health top 10 funding list.

Becker’s Hospital Review is a monthly publication offering business and legal news and analysis relating to hospitals and health systems.

Regionally, the Triad Business Journal selected McConnell to its 2014-15 Most Influential People list for the Triad region of North Carolina.

Media Relations

Paula Faria: pfaria@wakehealth.edu, 336-716-1279

Mac Ingraham: mingraha@wakehealth.edu, 336-716-3487