Ep. 219 Ask the CMO Part 1: Administrative Structure of the hospital with Dr. Claudia Emami

After a decade in private practice, Dr. Claudia Emami transitioned from pediatric surgeon to Chief Medical Officer—driven by burnout and a deep curiosity about how healthcare systems function. In this episode, she shares the behind-the-scenes structure of hospital operations that every surgeon should know but rarely learns in training. We cover: The difference between medical staff and hospital administration Why bylaws are your protection How credentialing and peer review actually work Who sits in the C-suite—and what they control Why surgeons should proactively build relationships with their CMO and chief of staff How committee participation builds influence and opportunity Healthcare is becoming increasingly complex. Mergers, acquisitions, and system growth mean that physicians who don’t understand governance risk losing their voice. This episode is a practical roadmap for surgeons who want to protect their autonomy, navigate hospital politics wisely, and possibly even explore leadership beyond the OR.