California Medical Association’s CEO to leave post

Alfred Gilchrist, who in September was named the CEO of the California Medical Association, intends to leave his new post and return to Colorado to his old job. He will leave Sacramento by Friday and on Feb. 1 will begin serving as the head of the Colorado Medical Society.

Dustin Corcoran, the senior vice president of the CMA, will serve as interim CEO. The CMA’s board will meet toward the end of the month to consider how to proceed in finding Gilchrist’s successor. Gilchrist was chosen last fall following a nationwide search by the CMA.

In coming to California, Gilchrist told Capitol Weekly, “I let my head and my emotions get ahead of my heart” He is returning to Colorado, he said, “because so many things I wanted are there.”

Before going to Colorado, Gilchrist served as a long-time legislative director of for Texas Medical Association.

In California, Gilchrist replaced former state Sen. Joe Dunn, a lawyer and an Orange County Democrat.

When Gilchrist left Colorado, the Medical Society launched a nationwide search to fill his position. The Society recently asked Gilchrist if he cared to submit an application, and he complied, he said.

He said the doctors in California have been “very gracious and understanding” about his decision to return to Colorado.

“I wish to thank the CMA family for all its support and understanding,” Gilchrist said. “The bottom line is my heart remains in Colorado and that’s where I need to be.”

The CMA, a major advocacy group in Sacramento, represents about 35,000 physicians.