WebMD CMO Dr. John Whyte has been chosen to lead the American Medical Association as executive vice president and CEO.
Whyte replaces Dr. James L. Madara, whose 14-year tenure as CEO and executive VP ends June 30. Whyte's tenure begins July 1.
Whyte ushers in a new era of leadership for the 178-year-old institution, the AMA said.
"Dr. Whyte comes to lead the AMA at an important point for medicine and public health in the U.S.," the AMA said.
The AMA has been advocating for Congress to pass legislation to stop the annual physician payment decrease. The latest 2.8% cut went into effect on Jan. 1, marking the fifth consecutive year that Medicare physician payment has been reduced. Since 2001, when adjusted for inflation, Medicare physician payments have decreased by 33%, the AMA has said.
Other challenges include excessive administrative burdens that are contributing to professional burnout. The use of AI is raising questions about implementation, regulation and ethics, the AMA said.
Whyte currently serves on the AMA's AI committee.
Also, the AMA said, "Misinformation about healthcare and science are lowering vaccination rates and fueling new public health challenges not seen in generations."
Whyte brings corporate, governmental and clinical experience to his new role, the AMA said. A board-certified internal medicine physician for nearly 30 years, Whyte joins the AMA from WebMD, where he has served as chief medical officer since 2018 and has "helped grow the media company's strategic partnerships, influence and vision," the AMA said
Whyte has built relationships with nonprofit, government and commercial sectors, and his approach to management generated new revenue for WebMD through thought-leadership events, educational programming, research and book-publishing ventures. He was a pivotal force in WebMD's evolution from a digital content platform to an interactive wellness hub that directly connected patients with physicians, the AMA said.
"Dr. Whyte is an exceptionally qualified leader who has distinguished himself across many fronts. He is uniquely positioned to lead the AMA at this pivotal time and offers a deep and nuanced understanding of the AMA's mission, governance, and evolving role – ensuring both continuity and meaningful progress toward the association's goals," said AMA Board Chair Dr. Michael Suk.
"I am honored to join the AMA as CEO and serve the nation's patients and physicians," said Whyte. "I have tremendous respect and admiration for this venerable, science-based organization and its important work that improves the lives of millions of people. I see significant opportunities for a strong and vibrant AMA to fulfill its core mission to promote the art and science of medicine and the betterment of public health."
Whyte first joined the AMA as a medical student member and has served on the AMA Council on Long Range Planning, secretary of the AMA Resident and Fellow Section, and chair of its governing council.
Prior to joining WebMD, Whyte served as the director of professional affairs and stakeholder engagement at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.
Previously, Whyte served as chief medical expert and vice president of health and medical education at the Discovery Channel.
He has written about chronic-disease management and improving public health. He has appeared on dozens of national TV programs to promote wellness and advocate for mitigating risks for heart disease, diabetes, cancer and other chronic ailments. Whyte has been named a top 20 health influencer for his public health leadership and was an important national voice for vaccine safety and efficacy during the COVID-19 public health emergency, the AMA said.
Whyte has held multiple leadership roles at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, including in formalizing Medicare's national coverage-decision process, shaping payment policies and advancing innovative models to improve health outcomes.
His position at CMS, followed by four years served at the Department of Health and Human Services, has given Whyte a deep understanding of health policy, reimbursement strategies and the critical intersection of clinical innovation and payment models, the AMA said.
Whyte is a graduate of the Hahnemann University School of Medicine in Pennsylvania and Harvard University School of Public Health.
Madara guided the creation of the AMA's long-term strategic vision with an emphasis on removing obstacles to care for patients, driving medical education, training and innovation, and leading the charge to prevent chronic disease, confront public health crises and eliminate health inequities, the AMA said. Under his leadership, membership at the AMA has grown by more than 33%. In 2024 it eclipsed 290,000 physician and medical student members – the highest level in more than three decades.
In announcing his decision to leave the AMA last June, Madara pledged to work closely with the board of trustees to ensure a smooth transition.
"A truly successful handoff is the support that you offer, and the assistance you provide, to give your successor the best chance to excel," Madara told AMA delegates at the 2024 AMA Annual Meeting. "The challenges in medicine today are numerous and well-documented, which makes it even more critical for the AMA to maintain its momentum in this year of transition."
Email the writer: SMorse@himss.org