BURLINGTON, Mass. (June 14, 2023) – Tufts Medicine announced today the appointment of Phil Okala as its new system Chief Operating Officer. As COO, Okala will ensure that the system excels in the execution of key strategic and operating priorities in a way that best positions Tufts Medicine for the future. Okala’s leadership will be key in advancing evolution as a fully integrated health system, and the innovation needed to sustainably support our workforce and meet the needs of the consumers, partners and communities Tufts Medicine serves.
“As one of the nation’s highest quality, cost-effective health systems, Tufts Medicine is positioned to play an instrumental role during this important time of transformation in healthcare,” said Tufts Medicine President and CEO Michael Dandorph. “Phil’s value-based leadership style and operating expertise will accelerate our progress towards creating the most equitable and frictionless healthcare system through our relentless commitment to empower people to live their best lives.”
Okala joins Tufts Medicine from City of Hope in California, a national institute for designated comprehensive cancer care. As system President, he oversaw its portfolio of clinical care and research entities, including City of Hope Los Angeles County, City of Hope Orange County, the Translational Genomics Research Institute, the Beckman Research Institute, the NCI Designated Cancer Center, the Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences and the recently acquired Cancer Treatment Centers of America. He also maintained executive oversight of City of Hope’s medical foundation and its clinical and research operations. Prior to his position at City of Hope, Okala worked for five years as the Chief Operating Officer at the University of Pennsylvania Health System, which represents six acute care hospitals/health systems and a post-acute care venture, Penn Medicine at Home, and encompasses 43,000 employees, 8,900 credentialed physicians and approximately $9 billion in annual revenue. He has previously held leadership roles at Penn Medicine, the Geisinger Health System, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, MD Anderson Cancer Center and the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center.
“During such a critical time for healthcare across the Commonwealth and our nation, Tufts Medicine has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to always do what’s best for its patients and communities,” said Okala. “I am honored to join an organization so committed to advancing healthcare locally and nationally and look forward to collaborating with my colleagues to further the health system’s success.”
About Tufts Medicine
Tufts Medicine is a leading integrated health system bringing together the best of academic and community healthcare to deliver exceptional, connected and accessible care experiences to consumers across Massachusetts. Comprised of Tufts Medical Center, Lowell General Hospital, MelroseWakefield Hospital, Lawrence Memorial Hospital of Medford, an expansive home care network and a large integrated physician network. Tufts Medicine has more than 15,000 dedicated care team members providing more than 1.5 million patient experiences per year. The health system is the principal teaching hospitals for Tufts University School of Medicine. Tufts Medicine came together in 2014 to leverage the expertise of its member organizations and transform the ways that consumers engage with and experience their care.
