Ali Khan, MD, MPP, FACP
Chief Medical Officer, Oak Street Health
Member, ACP Council of Early Career Physicians
1. Who are you professionally?
I'm a proud general internist—I've focused my career on care for highly complex, high-cost, and high-need patients, particularly in urban settings. I've cared for casino workers on the Las Vegas Strip, Medicare enrollees in the Bay Area, carpenters in Boston, refugees in New Haven, and patients with dual Medicare–Medicaid eligibility on Chicago's South and West Sides (among other places).
I've been incredibly fortunate to practice primarily in innovative delivery models outside of the normal fee-for-service infrastructure, working with large, diverse interprofessional teams (including behavioralists, pharmacists, nurses, community health workers, psychiatrists, home care teams, podiatrists, and dieticians) to deliver proactive, highly intentional ambulatory care–the "ambulatory ICU" model, as it's often known.
Along the way, I've also practiced as a hospitalist, an SNFist, a home-based physician, and a wannabe geriatrician/palliative care doc. Today, I practice on the West Side of Chicago at Oak Street Health, where I serve as the Chief Medical Officer for Value-Based Care Strategy.
2. Who are you according to your closest friends?
Loud, loyal, a little ridiculous, but always genuine.
3. How have you been involved with ACP?
I've been a member of the College since my first day of medical school at VCU's Medical College of Virginia. I served as vice president of our "Club Med" IM interest group, then joined the national Council of Resident/Fellow Members (which was then the Council of Associates!) in 2011. I served 4 years on the council, ultimately serving as chair in 2014–2015.
I now serve on the national Council of Early Career Physicians, which I joined this past spring. Along the way, I've had the chance to serve on the ACP Board of Regents and Board of Governors, the ACP Services PAC, and the ACP national Awards, Health and Public Policy, Medical Practice and Quality, and Volunteerism committees. The most fun I've had, though, remains on the Connecticut Governor's Council, where I was lucky enough to learn from luminaries such as Robert McLean, MD, MACP; Rebecca Andrews, MD, FACP; and Robert Nardino, MD, MACP.
4. Why did you apply for Council of Early Career Physicians (CECP)?
What can I say? I believe in the College—in its immense impact in shaping the present and future of American medicine, and in its foundational role as a home for internal medicine in all its flavors. The chance to work and lead alongside other talented folks from around the country is like jet fuel for me, and I can't stay away.
5. What is something quirky that people may not know about you?
I still prefer listening to music on the radio—there's nothing better than the feeling of joy when your favorite song serendipitously is played, and Spotify just doesn't do that for me.
6. What do you want to be when you grow up?
A great Dad.
7. What is your favorite thing about being a physician?
There's nothing better than leveraging my training as an internal medicine physician, and to peer deeply into someone's eyes, examine them for who they are in all facets, ask thoughtful questions, and then piece together a mystery.