Dr. Jim Souza, 2022 ACMS Physician of the Year

Dr. Souza has played a very strong and visible role as Chief Medical Officer of St. Luke’s Health System over the past 5 years. During the COVID crisis, he provided a reasoned and empathetic voice about public health matters in news interviews, testimony to public health boards, and with the medical staff of the System. He also stood fast against the politically motivated intimidation of St. Luke’s employees during an imminent danger child welfare case earlier this year. Under his leadership, SLHS has remained in IBM Watson Health’s Top 15 Health Systems for nine years running.

Since becoming the CMO, Dr. Souza has helped oversee the development of SLHS’ Provider Well-being Center of Excellence. He championed its creation, staffed by a part-time physician leader (a former ACMS board member) and a full-time administrative dyad to support the effort. He remains an active clinician practice pulmonary and critical care medicine with St. Luke’s – Idaho Pulmonary Associates on a limited basis, keeping him very much in touch with the challenges which physicians face daily.