USA Health, the health system for the University of South Alabama, has promoted Dr. Michael Chang to chief physician executive. His new role is in addition to serving as system chief medical officer.
In this new role, he will be responsible for clinical strategy, physician practice performance, safety and quality across USA Health.
“With years of experience as a trauma/acute care surgeon, healthcare administrator and national leader in quality and safety, Dr. Chang brings a unique blend of frontline clinical expertise and executive insight to this new role,” said Natalie Fox, interim CEO for USA Health.
Chang joined USA Health in 2018 and has led initiatives to enhance access, safety and operational efficiency — most notably establishing a surgical quality program modeled after best practices from the American College of Surgeons. In January, he was named to Becker’s Hospital Review 2025 list of Chief Medical Officers to Know.
Nationally, Chang has served as chair of the Trauma Quality Improvement Program at the ACS Committee on Trauma and currently serves as a member and site visitor in the Quality Verification Program at the ACS. He is a recognized national expert in quality assessment and performance improvement.
Chang earned his medical degree at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and completed his residency in general surgery at UAB. He completed his fellowship in surgical critical care and trauma surgery at Vanderbilt University.