Covenant Health Chief Medical Officer Nationally Recognized as a 2026 “CMO to Know”

March 2026 – Mandy Halford, MD, senior vice president, chief medical officer and chief medical informatics officer of Covenant Health, was recently recognized on Becker’s Hospital Review’s list of “252 Hospital and Health System Chief Medical Officers to Know 2026.” It’s her fourth consecutive year being named to the list and was one of three CMOs in Tennessee recognized.

Becker’s Hospital Review, a publication focusing on hospital business news for healthcare executives, highlighted executives who “are instrumental in elevating patient safety, upholding rigorous quality standards, strengthening collaboration between executive leadership and medical staff, and guiding risk management efforts.”

Becker’s recognized Dr. Halford for her role in clinical operations, quality and safety improvements, advancement of workforce development and aiding in the expansion of telehealth offerings.

As Covenant Health’s chief medical officer, Dr. Halford is responsible for leading clinical operations, overseeing service lines, and spearheading quality and patient safety improvement initiatives. She also is instrumental in developing clinical protocols, influencing policy formation, managing physician development, and ensuring patient safety and regulatory compliance, as well as overseeing medical staff affairs and the graduate medical education program. Additionally, her CMIO responsibilities include developing strategic use of information technology and digital advances.

Dr. Halford earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine. She is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and holds a clinical informatics certification from the American Board of Preventive Medicine.

To view the full list, visit https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hospital-management-administration/252-hospital-and-health-system-chief-medical-officers-to-know-2026/.