Two OSF HealthCare Physicians Earn Prestigious Credentialing

The American Association for Physician Leadership® announced Omar Khokhar, MD of OSF Healthcare St. Joseph Medical Center and Kashif Zaheer, MD of OSF HealthCare Medical Group in Belvidere have earned the prestigious Certified Physician Executive (CPE) certification. CPE designation indicates a physician has achieved superior levels of professional excellence and management education while also demonstrating effective health care industry knowledge and leadership skills.

“Physician leadership training is a relatively new niche; until recently, specific skillsets were not part of medical school curriculum. Given the ever-changing landscape of healthcare, it is imperative that physicians provide input and assert themselves as captain of the healthcare ship. More than ever, we need to use emotional intelligence and develop relationships to solve difficult issues in terms of access, value and quality in health care delivery," said Dr. Khokhar. 

"During the certification process I was able to attain higher level of management education and experience. It also helped me develop my leadership philosophy, and to understand and build core competencies that set leaders apart.” added Dr. Zaheer.

The certification is the industry benchmark for CEOs and executive recruiters seeking the most accomplished and influential physician leaders. It speaks to the physician’s commitment to improving patient care.

“The contemporary challenges facing health care today — such as variable clinical quality, persistent, high institutional costs in the face of clarifying value, and less than optimal patient experiences — require physician leaders who can interlace clinical knowledge, seasoned leadership skills and superior management acumen,” said Dr. Peter Angood, president and CEO of the American Association for Physician Leadership®.

The American Association for Physician Leadership® is the nation’s largest organization solely focused on leadership education and management training for physicians. Chartered by the American Association for Physician Leadership® to establish and maintain the high standards required for physician executive certification, the Certifying Commission in Medical Management has a 20-year history as a national, not-for-profit corporation certifying physicians specializing in medical management. The Certifying Commission in Medical Management currently lists more than 3000 Certified Physician Executives.