Baligh Yehia

Dr. Baligh Yehia is a nationally acclaimed healthcare leader, driving transformation across large, complex health systems while fostering environments where people thrive amid change. As President of Jefferson Health, he oversees a dynamic academic health system comprising 32 hospitals and more than 700 care sites across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, serving millions of patients annually.

Under his leadership, Jefferson Health is executing a bold strategy to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape. This includes recruiting top talent to build resilient teams, accelerating growth, and leading the clinical integration of Jefferson’s strategic merger with Lehigh Valley Health Network, positioning Jefferson among the top 15 nonprofit health systems in the United States.

A champion of innovation and perpetual adaptation, Dr. Yehia is spearheading Jefferson’s ambitious AI strategy, aimed at reclaiming 10 million clinical hours by 2028. His human-centered approach to AI focuses on empowering clinicians, improving patient outcomes, and redesigning workflows to reduce burnout and enhance satisfaction.

Dr. Yehia’s commitment to people is evident in Jefferson’s renewed focus on workforce development, culture, and well-being. He has invested in leadership upskilling, created psychologically safe environments, and empowered every team member to deliver exceptional care.

Previously, Dr. Yehia served as the first Deputy Under Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, where he transformed the VA’s Community Care Network to better serve Veterans by delivering community-based outpatient, inpatient, telehealth, and extended care services. He also held leadership roles at Johns Hopkins, Penn Medicine, and Ascension, where he led one of the nation’s largest medical groups.

Dr. Yehia earned degrees from the University of Florida, Princeton University, and the University of Pennsylvania, and is trained in internal medicine and infectious diseases. He has published over 150 articles, is a frequent speaker at national forums, and has been recognized by Modern Healthcare, Becker’s Healthcare, the American Medical Association, and the American College of Physicians as one of healthcare’s top leaders.