Dr. William Brien, an orthopedic surgeon, serves as chief medical officer for Desert Care Network, overseeing three hospitals in the Coachella Valley and High Desert.
“I’ve always been driven by the simple belief that we must do the right thing for the patient,” says Dr. Brien, a UCLA School of Medicine graduate who completed his residency at University of Southern California School of Medicine. “Everyone in a hospital, from the doctors to the nursing staff, must be committed to providing the highest-quality care in the safest environment.”
Dr. Brien spent more than a decade in leadership positions at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and previously was chief medical officer and chief quality officer for University Hospitals of Cleveland and senior vice president operations and chief clinical officer for Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center in Houston.
He joined Desert Care Network in 2023 and focuses on patient care, safety, and quality initiatives. “My role is to ensure we meet the highest standards across all three hospitals.”
He also emphasizes Desert Care Network’s role in the community, particularly with its growing teaching programs. “We’re recruiting young physicians to train in our state-of-the-art facilities, and many stay in the area, which is vital for long-term healthcare development,” he says.
Additionally, Dr. Brien advises the hospital’s Graduate Medical Education program, which trains resident physicians in emergency medicine, family medicine, internal medicine and general surgery, as well as fellowship programs in emergency ultrasound and surgical critical care.
An advocate for the Coachella Valley’s growth, Dr. Brien is passionate about living in the region. “The lifestyle here is unbeatable. From hiking to pickleball, it’s a wonderful place to raise a family,” he says, adding that his grandchildren enjoy visits to The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens as much as he does.
With a focus on quality care and education, Dr. Brien is committed to shaping the future of healthcare in the desert.