Chief Population Health Officer
Position Overview
The Chief Population Health Officer (the “PHO”) reports to the CEO and serves as the senior executive leader responsible for total cost of care performance, utilization management, and population health strategy across Palm’s markets. This role defines what care should happen at a system level—establishing priorities, care models, and intervention strategies to improve outcomes, reduce avoidable utilization, and optimize value-based performance. Success in this role requires the ability to translate data and financial performance into actionable care strategies executed across clinical and operational teams. Interaction with the provider team is critical and will require frequent local travel between clinics.
Key Responsibilities
Population Health Strategy & Total Cost of Care - Own enterprise performance for total cost of care (TCOC) across all markets and payer arrangements
Define and execute population health strategies to improve outcomes while reducing avoidable utilization
Develop multi-level intervention strategies targeting high-risk, rising-risk, and general populations
Monitor in-year performance (PMPM) and implement corrective actions to address cost and utilization trends
Establish utilization management standards, escalation thresholds, and decision frameworks
Own medical management programs, including prior authorization strategy and referral optimization
Identify drivers of avoidable utilization (ED, inpatient, post-acute) and implement targeted interventions
Partner with clinical leadership to ensure utilization strategies are clinically appropriate and effective
Responsible for care management programs, including case management, disease management, and care coordination
Design and implement transitions of care strategies to reduce readmissions and improve post-acute outcomes
Ensure appropriate deployment of care managers, social workers, and support resources
Drive measurable improvements in patient outcomes through longitudinal care programs
Define risk stratification methodologies and cohort prioritization frameworks
Identify high-impact patient segments and align resources accordingly
Establish proactive outreach and intervention models for high-risk populations
Continuously refine targeting strategies using analytics and performance data
Drive performance across value-based contracts, including cost, quality, and utilization metrics
Partner with Finance and Managed Care to align medical cost strategies with financial performance goals
Support payor performance initiatives (excluding contract negotiation and reconciliation ownership)
Ensure readiness for delegation and performance accountability in risk-based arrangements
Partner with the Chief Medical Officer to ensure care models and utilization strategies are clinically sound
Collaborate with the COO to align population health priorities with operational execution in clinics
Work closely with analytics, finance, and managed care teams to monitor performance and refine strategies
Serve as the central leader connecting clinical strategy, cost management, and operational execution
Qualifications
Master’s in Public Health, healthcare Administration, clinical/healthcare degree, or related field preferred
10+ years of experience in population health, medical management, or value-based care leadership
Deep understanding of Medicare Advantage and risk-based care models
Experience managing total cost of care and utilization performance in capitated or shared-risk environments
Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making skills
Proven ability to design and implement population health strategies at scale
Demonstrated success working cross-functionally with clinical and operational leaders
Strong leadership, communication, and change management capabilities