Local doctor begins new leadership role in clinical practice

Following an exhaustive national search, Ronald J. Vender, M.D., clinical professor of medicine and a nationally recognized gastroenterologist, has been named chief medical officer (CMO) of Yale Medical Group (YMG), the clinical practice staffed by faculty of the School of Medicine. In this newly created position, Vender, reporting to YMG CEO David J. Leffell, M.D., will assume operational responsibilities and will work to continue to advance the medical school’s health care mission. Vender was also appointed as the medical school’s associate dean for clinical affairs.

Vender will work with medical school and hospital leadership on strategic planning; achieving high satisfaction from patients and referring physicians; ensuring patient safety and high-quality, cost-effective patient care; and establishing measures to ensure excellence in clinical care. Vender, who graduated from the School of Medicine in 1977 and completed his internship, residency and a fellowship at Yale-New Haven Hospital (YNHH), has held leadership roles at several New Haven-area hospitals, including YNHH, Milford Hospital and the Hospital of St. Raphael, where he has served as section chief of gastroenterology since 1993. In 1997 he founded, with two colleagues, the Gastroenterology Center of Connecticut, a private practice with offices in Hamden, Milford and Guilford.

Vender has twice received the Vincent DeLuca Award for Outstanding Teacher of Gastroenterology. In May, he received the Distinguished Clinician Award from the American Gastroenterological Association.