Dr. Andrew Thomas will be chief medical officer of the OSU Wexner Medical Center beginning July 1.

Courtesy of OSU

A new chief medical officer has been named for Ohio State’s Wexner Medical Center.

Dr. Andrew Thomas, medical director of University Hospital, an internal medicine doctor and associate dean of OSU’s College of Medicine graduate medical education, will start at his new position July 1, announced by the Wexner Medical Center Saturday, according to The Columbus Dispatch.

Thomas, an OSU alumnus, replaces Dr. Hagop Mekhjian, who has been in the role since 2001 and who will continue to teach at OSU and practice medicine, according to Columbus Business First.

Mekhjian earned a $401,000 salary this year, while Thomas made $302,000, according to Columbus Business First.

Thomas holds a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University, a Master’s in business administration from Fisher College of Business and attended medical school and completed his residency at OSU.

Thomas will also be appointed associate vice president for health sciences, pending approval from the OSU Board of Trustees, as well as senior medical officer who will oversee patient-care services and leadership of the OSU Executive Health program, according to the Dispatch.

Thomas played a role in the implementation of the integrated electronic medical record system, as well as designed programs to improve the quality of patient care.