ECU pediatrician certified as physician executive

By Amy Ellis
ECU News Services

Dr. John M. Olsson, division chief for general pediatrics at East Carolina University’s Brody School of Medicine, was recently named a certified physician executive by the American College of Physician Executives. Olsson was formally recognized for this achievement at the group’s annual meeting April 25 in Chicago.

Dr. John Olsson

The nationally recognized credential requires physicians to pass a minimum of 150 hours of  “live” and online coursework followed by nearly four days of formal certification activities.

“The credential is becoming the benchmark for CEOs and executive recruiters seeking the most accomplished and influential health care leaders,” according to the website for the Certifying Commission in Medical Management, the national certifying body for physicians specializing in medical management. The CCMM is a not-for-profit corporation chartered by the ACPE, the association for physicians in health care leadership.

“This education gives me the medical essentials of an MBA,” Olsson said. “The skills I have gained will help my department and the Brody School of Medicine as we navigate the changing healthcare environment.”

Olsson came to ECU in 1998 from Phoenix, Arizona, where he was residency director for pediatrics at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center. He earned his medical degree from the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine and completed his pediatrics residency at Emory University Affiliated Hospitals. Olsson served as chief of staff for Vidant Medical Center in 2011.

“Dr. Olsson was already recognized as an excellent leader, and this training will only improve that ability,” said Dr. Ron Perkin, chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Brody. “All of us in this department are very fond of John and very proud of this accomplishment.”