Charles “Chuck” D. Stokes, Memorial Hermann Health System’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, was named among the Top 25 COO’s in medicine by Modern Healthcare, a list which recognizes high-achieving leaders across the healthcare sector and the increasingly demanding roles they play.
Judges scored nominees on the scope of duties within their organizations; strategic execution; synergies and collaboration across multiple departments and programs within the organization as well as in the community; ability to establish a culture of innovation and transformation; organizational improvement in patient experience; and staff satisfaction during the COO’s tenure.
“Chuck’s steadfast dedication to Memorial Hermann and our community, coupled with his unwavering passion for our patients, has spurred innovation and collaboration throughout our System,” said Dr. Benjamin Chu, President and CEO of Memorial Hermann. “His impressive accomplishments and outstanding leadership over the last four decades have made him a trusted advisor and friend, and I congratulate him for this incredibly deserving honor.”
Stokes joined Memorial Hermann as COO in 2008 with extensive experience in building physician relationships, service line development, quality and patient safety improvement, leadership development, and employee engagement. In addition to his role at Memorial Hermann, Stokes was recently appointed Chairman of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), an organization of more than 48,000 healthcare executives working together to improve care delivery and population health.
“I am honored to be among the first recipients of this prestigious award from Modern Healthcare,” Stokes said. “Since the beginning my of career as a critical care nurse, I have been fortunate enough to learn from some of the best industry leaders and mentors who have helped me grow and excel, and today I am incredibly humbled and privileged to help lead the operations of the largest health system in southeast Texas.”
Stokes has been credited with helping lead Memorial Hermann on its journey toward becoming a high-reliability organization, reducing the patient population’s average length of stay, and forming one of the most successful affordable care organizations in the nation. His leadership was also instrumental in helping Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital recently earn the coveted 2016 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the nation’s highest Presidential honor for performance excellence.