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Real stories. Real impact.

Every day, Curana Health® providers, partners, and team members make a difference in the lives of seniors and the communities we serve. From residents who feel truly cared for to community leaders who value our collaboration, these stories reflect what compassionate, coordinated care looks like in action.
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Derek Chao, MD

President and Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Chao brings more than two decades of experience in managed care, clinical leadership, and healthcare transformation to Curana Health. Starting his medical career as a hospitalist and nephrologist in Southern California, Dr. Chao has held various leadership positions (including medical director and chief medical officer) within numerous healthcare organizations (including HealthCare Partners). Before coming to Curana, he served as chief executive officer of Optum Health’s western region, where he oversaw operations and care delivery across nine states. Dr. Chao’s expertise spans a range of healthcare models, from fee-for-service to value-based care across Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial plans. His broad experience has honed his ability to lead both clinical and operational teams through the complexities of healthcare delivery models, and his professional insights are shaped not only by his clinical expertise, but also by personal experience (having witnessed firsthand the challenges his elderly parents faced in navigating the American healthcare system). At Curana Health, Dr. Chao leads efforts to empower the organization’s healthcare providers, optimize care delivery, and ensure clinicians have the tools and support needed to achieve exceptional outcomes for patients and operator partners alike.