FOH Executive Committee Member, (2021-2023)
Gary S. Kaplan, MD, FACP, FACMPE, FACPE, is the immediate past CEO of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health & Senior Vice President, CommonSpirit. Dr. Kaplan served as chairman and CEO of the Virginia Mason Health System from 2000 to January 2021. He is also a practicing internal medicine physician at Virginia Mason.
Dr. Kaplan received a degree in medicine from the University of Michigan and is board certified in internal medicine. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP), the American College of Medical Practice Executives (FACMPE) and the American College of Physician Executives (FACPE). He is recognized as one of the most influential physician executives in health care.
Dr. Kaplan is chair of the National Patient Safety Foundation Lucian Leape Institute, and a past chair of both the Institute for Healthcare Improvement Board of Directors and the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. He was a founding member of Health CEOs for Health Reform and has held leadership positions with numerous organizations, including the Medical Group Management Association and the Washington Healthcare Forum.
During Dr. Kaplan’s tenure, Virginia Mason has received significant national and international praise for its efforts to transform health care, most notably as the leader in adapting the Toyota Production System for health care. Virginia Mason has consistently been named a Top Hospital by Leapfrog and was the Top Hospital of the Decade in 2010. In addition, Virginia Mason is the only Washington state hospital to earn an A patient safety grade every year since the grading system began.