Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Names Dr. Hans P. Cassagnol as Chief Medical Officer, Following National Search

May 15, 2024

  
Following a nationwide search, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (VMFH) has appointed Hans P. Cassagnol, MD, MMM, as its new chief medical officer (CMO). In this role, he will oversee all clinical operations for VMFH and the Northwest Region of CommonSpirit Health, including quality and safety, and ensuring patients receive the highest standard of medical care. 

“Dr. Cassagnol brings deep experience as a physician executive, educator and practitioner to Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and CommonSpirit Health’s Northwest Region,” noted Ketul J. Patel, CEO of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and president of the Northwest Region of CommonSpirit Health. “He has a passion for quality improvement and a dedication to continuous learning that make him an outstanding choice to be our next CMO.”

Dr. Cassagnol has spent nearly 20 years in leadership positions and has held numerous academic appointments. Most recently, he served as EVP, Chief Physician Executive and Chief Clinical Officer at Catholic Health System, a comprehensive health care system based in Buffalo, N.Y. Prior roles include Chief Quality Officer at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, N.Y. and Associate Chief Quality Officer at Geisinger Health System in Danville, Pa.

With a passion for medicine and continuous learning, he received a Master of Medical Management Degree from the University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business. He went on to complete his postdoctoral training through the Dartmouth Quality Institute, Geisinger Health System Physician Leadership Program, Kennedy Institute of Ethics, Malcolm Baldridge Performance Excellence Program, Stanford Graduate School of Business and Harvard Business School. 

“I became interested in medicine at a really young age – seeing my mother work as a microbiologist and my uncle as a cardiologist,” shared Dr. Cassagnol. “They were my role models as I embarked on my educational journey and continue to inspire me today as I step into this new leadership role here at VMFH. I am incredibly excited to join an organization with a reputation for clinical excellence and deep caring for our patients and the community.” 

Dr. Cassagnol received his undergraduate degree in Biology from St. John’s University. He went on to earn a medical degree from the University of Connecticut and completed his residency in Obstetrics & Gynecology at Flushing Hospital Medical Center. Once settled into his role as CMO, Dr. Cassgnol will resume practicing as an obstetrician and gynecologist as a member of the VMFH Women’s Health team.
  

About Virginia Mason Franciscan Health
Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (VMFH) is an integrated health system serving the Puget Sound region, including 10 hospitals and 300 care sites. Founded in 1891, VMFH embraces its long history of caring for the most vulnerable, especially the poor and underserved, and meeting the evolving health care needs of the vibrant, diverse communities it serves. VMFH is a proud home to the Bailey-Boushay House, the first skilled nursing and outpatient chronic care management program in the United States designed specifically to meet the needs of people with HIV/AIDS, and the Benaroya Research Institute, an internationally recognized institution for autoimmune disease research. VMFH is part of CommonSpirit, one of the nation’s largest health systems, dedicated to advancing health for all people.