HCA Midwest Health names Eric Benink, MD as chief medical officer

Overland Park, Kan. — Today, HCA Midwest Health, Kansas City's largest healthcare provider, named Eric Benink, MD, chief medical officer. Effective June 1, Dr. Benink will oversee clinical quality and safety efforts throughout the health system while overseeing its Graduate Medical Education, Trauma, and Laboratory programs.

A physician leader with over 25 years of experience, Dr. Benink joins HCA Midwest Health from the North Texas Division's Medical City Arlington, where he has served as Chief Medical Officer since 2016. In this role, he helped lead efforts to achieve the hospital's Level II trauma designation and comprehensive stroke center designation while also helping the hospital earn several quality accolades, including "A" patient safety scores from Leapfrog, three straight America's 250 Best Hospitals designations from Healthgrades and being named a top large community hospital by Fortune/Merative.

Previously, Dr. Benink served in CMO roles at Regional One Health in Memphis, Tennessee, Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights, Illinois, and OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, Illinois.

He was a clinical instructor and assistant professor for the OSF Saint Francis Medical Center emergency medicine residency program. He held faculty positions at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria and Rockford campuses. Specializing in emergency medicine, Dr. Benink proudly served in the United States Air Force during the Gulf War.

"Dr. Benink brings the right combination of proven experience, collaboration, and innovation to HCA Midwest Health's clinical leadership," said President Keith Zimmerman. "During his career, Dr. Benink has served patients with the highest standards of excellence and his enthusiasm and passion for the safest, most innovative, and compassionate care possible. Whether a patient is receiving care at an HCA Midwest Health hospital, physician practice, surgery center or other facility, his dedication and experience will be assets as we continue to grow and transform healthcare."

"I am thrilled to join the HCA Midwest Health and work with my colleagues to advance our commitment to achieving patient care of the highest quality, safety, and effectiveness," Dr. Benink said. "I’ve been impressed with how HCA Midwest Health’s dedication to their mission and high-quality care has improved the lives of patients throughout the region.  I look forward to partnering with the dedicated medical staff, and compassionate nurses at HCA Midwest Health, while elevating our quality and driving innovation within our organization."

Dr. Benink is a graduate of Rush Medical College in Chicago and completed his residency at Christ Hospital and Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Illinois. He also earned an MBA from George Washington University in Washington, DC.