Akron General hires new chief medical officer

Akron General Health System has hired a Cleveland Clinic doctor as its new chief medical officer.

The appointment of Dr. Benito “Ben” Alvarez is effective July 1. With Cleveland Clinic, Alvarez currently holds the lengthy titles of co-director of the Eastern Division Section of General Obstetrics and Gynecology, and quality review officer for the Women’s Health Institute, according to a statement from Akron General.

In the chief medical officer post, Alvarez will serve as the liaison between the nearly 1,000 physicians on Akron General’s medical staff and hospital administration, the Akron Beacon-Journal reported.

“This is a totally different opportunity and position that I’m moving into,” the 46-year-old Alvarez told the Beacon-Journal.

An avid mountain climber, Alvarez is the son of Cuban refugees and grew up in Mount Vernon, New York, according to the statement.

He is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology, as well as internal medicine.