11/18/2021
Christopher Lehrach, MD, MBA, was recently named to an expanded leadership role as the inaugural Chief Physician Executive for Nuvance Health, a seven-hospital system in western Connecticut and the Hudson Valley of New York.
In the newly created role as Chief Physician Executive, Dr. Lehrach will provide oversight for all medical administrative and clinical functions for the system, ensuring quality healthcare delivery to all Nuvance Health patients.
Dr. Lehrach was promoted from his role as president of the Nuvance Health Medical Practice, a position he held since joining the nonprofit health system in July 2019.
“Dr. Lehrach’s leadership skill and clinical experience proved critical as we successfully battled the COVID-19 pandemic, moving with great urgency and purpose to prepare for what would ultimately be the most challenging professional experience of our careers,” said Dr. John M. Murphy, President and CEO of Nuvance Health. “We are excited to have him in this critically important leadership position. He will set a consistently positive tone and serve as a great role model as we continue to shape and grow our organization.”
In addition to executive leadership across the health system’s 3,500-member medical staff, Dr. Lehrach will continue to lead Nuvance Health’s multi-specialty, multi-location medical practices. He will also continue to practice emergency medicine.
“For more than two years, I’ve been humbled to serve with the medical staff, community clinicians and administrators at Nuvance Health who have proven their commitment to our patients and to helping our community through this pandemic,” Dr. Lehrach said. “It’s an honor and privilege to be offered the trust and support of the health system and the Nuvance Health medical staff with this enhanced role. I will work hard to continue to earn it.”
Before joining Nuvance Health, Dr. Lehrach was responsible for strategic planning and operations for ambulatory services in the eastern region for Yale-New Haven Health. He served as the President of the Lawrence + Memorial Medical Group and as its Chief Transformation Officer until its acquisition by Yale-New Haven Health in 2017. Board certified, Dr. Lehrach started his career in solo practice on Block Island, Rhode Island, followed by more than 20 years as an emergency medicine physician at Westerly Hospital, Rhode Island, where he served as Chief. He is now on staff at Danbury, Norwalk and New Milford Hospitals.
A native of Connecticut, Dr. Lehrach earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Neurosciences and Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. He holds an MD from the University of Connecticut and an MBA from Yale University School of Management. He completed his residency training at the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey (now Rutgers).