Master the Certified Healthcare Leader Challenge 2025 – Lead the Charge to Success!

The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) is primarily responsible for overall medical staff management within a healthcare organization. This role involves overseeing the clinical aspects of the medical staff, ensuring the quality of care provided, managing physician performance, and facilitating the integration of medical staff with other departments. The CMO plays a crucial role in developing clinical policies and promoting best practices, which are vital for maintaining high standards of patient care.

In contrast, the Chief Nursing Officer mainly focuses on nursing staff management and ensuring that nursing practices align with healthcare standards. The Chief of Surgery oversees surgical departments and specific surgical staff, while the Chief Operational Officer typically focuses on the operational aspects of the healthcare facility, such as administrative functions and strategic planning, rather than direct management of the medical staff. Thus, the CMO’s comprehensive role in directing and supporting the medical staff makes it the correct choice for this question.