McLaren Flint (Mich.) Hospital selected Binesh Patel, MD, to serve as CMO, according to a report by The Burton View.
Dr. Patel was previously CMO of Sinai-Grace Hospital in Detroit and Huron-Valley Sinai Hospital in Commerce Charter Township, Mich., both a part of Detroit Medical Center. An emergency medicine physician, he has served as a clinical assistant professor at both Detroit-based Wayne State University and East Lansing-based Michigan State University.
Dr. Patel completed his emergency medicine residency through the Wayne State University School of Medicine at Detroit Receiving Hospital.
Flint, Mich., is dealing with the health risks that stem from the lead-contaminated water crisis. The city switched its water source to the Flint River in 2014 to cut costs, even though experts deemed the water unfit for consumption. From 2014 to 2015, 91 cases of Legionnaires' disease were reported in Genesee County, Mich. The state health department noted that McLaren Flint Hospital was associated with 21 Legionella cases in 2014, 29 cases in 2015 and two cases in 2016.
McLaren Flint has taken a number steps to ensure its water meets quality standards, including conducting regular testing for lead and Legionella as well as installing numerous purification systems in the hospital.