Newport Healthcare has announced the appointment of Dr. Brent Nelson as chief innovation and optimization officer.
Brent Nelson
Photo: Newport Healthcare
The Nashville-based provider of behavioral health treatment said in a release the executive leadership role is newly created.
Nelson most recently served as chief medical information officer and led the Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation program for Newport’s PrairieCare program.
As chief medical information officer, he led company-wide clinical informatics, optimization and innovation initiatives across multiple levels of care.
Nelson’s background as a physician-executive includes advancing technology-enabled care delivery and improving clinician efficiency. He has also practiced as an adult interventional psychiatrist and led treatment programs.
In his new role, Nelson will focus on working across Newport’s inpatient, residential and outpatient mental health treatment programs to identify opportunities for improvement in quality and efficiency.
As part of his expanded responsibilities, Nelson will also chair the Care Council, a forum composed of internal and external medical and clinical leaders, that focuses on care innovation and quality oversight.
Nelson will continue to see patients on a limited basis.
According to the Newport Academy website, Nelson spent nine years in software development before earning his medical degree at the University of Minnesota, where he completed a general psychiatry residency and a clinical research fellowship in neuromodulation.
“Adding Dr. Nelson’s unique combination of clinical expertise, strategic insight, and technological innovation to our executive leadership team to help inform care delivery will be of great benefit to the company and to our patients,” Brian Setzer, CEO of Newport Healthcare said in the release.
“His ability to bridge patient care, technology, and operational strategy will help propel Newport into the future while maintaining our unwavering commitment to clinical excellence.”