Confluence Health names Dr. James Murray to new physician leadership role

WENATCHEE — Confluence Health has named Dr. James Murray to a newly created chief physician executive role, a move leaders say is designed to strengthen physician leadership across the organization.

Murray, who has served as chief medical officer since July 2023, will be the first to hold the position. Confluence Health officials said a search is now underway to fill the chief medical officer role as he transitions.

The new position is intended to expand physician involvement in how care is organized and delivered across the health system, with a focus on improving coordination, access and consistency for patients.

“This position is about working closely with physicians and care teams to improve access, coordination and consistency, so patients across North Central Washington experience the right care, at the right time, in the right setting,” Murray said.

While the chief medical officer role focuses on quality, safety and medical staff leadership, the chief physician executive will concentrate on day-to-day clinical operations and service line performance, working across departments to align care delivery.

Confluence Health CEO Dr. Andrew Jones said the new role reflects an effort to more closely connect clinical insight with systemwide decision-making.

“This role will support better alignment, clearer focus and better care for our patients across North Central Washington as we continue moving forward together,” Jones said.

Murray joined what would later become Confluence Health in 2005 as a hospitalist. He completed his residency in internal medicine in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and an internship in general surgery in Portsmouth, Virginia, after earning his medical degree from Loyola University.

He has held several leadership roles within the organization, including medical director for inpatient medicine and core medical director for specialty and ancillary medicine, before becoming chief medical officer.

Officials said the addition of the chief physician executive role is part of ongoing efforts to improve coordination across that large geographic footprint while maintaining access to care for patients throughout North Central Washington.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media