Tenet Healthcare Corporation (NYSE: THC) today announced that Ernest Franklin, M.D., has been appointed Chief Medical Operations Officer, effective January 7, 2019. In this role, Dr. Franklin will lead the company’s clinical programs and related quality and safety initiatives, working in close coordination with Sally Hurt-Deitch, Tenet’s Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Patient Care Services. Dr. Franklin will report to incoming Chief Operating Officer Saum Sutaria, M.D., who also joins the company in early January.

Ron Rittenmeyer, Executive Chairman and CEO, said, “With more than two decades of experience in the healthcare industry, Dr. Franklin has a proven track record in clinical leadership, and we are so pleased to welcome him to Tenet. Our caregivers and staff will benefit from his tenure as a physician and operational leader, his expertise in integration and innovation, and his passion for continuous improvement.”

Dr. Franklin joins Tenet from Baylor Scott and White Health (BSWH), where he most recently served as Senior Vice President, Clinical Value and Integration. In this role, he oversaw the integration of clinical services to improve outcomes and enhance efficiencies. Prior to this, Dr. Franklin served as Senior Vice President in Surgical and Ancillary Services for BSWH, where he led the laboratory, pharmacy and radiology departments.

Dr. Franklin began his career in medicine as a general surgeon, and later served as the Co-Chief Administrative Resident in Surgery at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. He received his doctorate from Tulane University School of Medicine, graduating with Alpha Omega Alpha honors. He earned an MBA from the Olin School of Business at Washington University in St. Louis and a bachelor of science from Tulane University.

About Tenet Healthcare

Tenet Healthcare Corporation is a diversified healthcare services company with approximately 115,000 employees united around a common mission: to help people live happier, healthier lives. Through its subsidiaries, partnerships and joint ventures, including United Surgical Partners International, the Company operates general acute care and specialty hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, urgent care centers and other outpatient facilities. Tenet’s Conifer Health Solutions subsidiary provides technology-enabled performance improvement and health management solutions to hospitals, health systems, integrated delivery networks, physician groups, self-insured organizations and health plans. For more information, please visit www.tenethealth.com.

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