UK names Dr. Jay Grider its first chief physician executive

Grider oversees the clinical practices of physicians and other health-care providers, including quality improvement and patient safety, and clinical and administrative informatics “to further a culture of data-driven decision making,” a UK news release said.

“This is a pivotal leadership position for UK HealthCare,” said Dr. Mark Newman, UK vice president for health affairs. “Dr. Grider has proven to have the right combination of education, experience and talent to be successful in this new role that should prove to be a turning point for our health system as we evolve into a truly integrated medical group known far and wide for clinical excellence.”

Grider is a professor of anesthesiology in the UK College of Medicine, a diplomate of the American Board of Anesthesiology and is board-certified in pain medicine.

A native of Liberty, he received a bachelor’s degree in natural science from Georgetown College; a DO degree from Ohio University in Athens; a Ph.D. in physiology from UK; and an MBA from the University of Tennessee.

He completed an internship at The Ohio State University, then came to UK to complete his residency in anesthesiology, followed by a fellowship in chronic pain management. He also is a graduate of UK HealthCare’s Executive Leadership Development Program through the UK Gatton College of Business.