Joint Commission Chief Operating Officer James Merlino, M.D., will succeed Jonathan B. Perlin, M.D., Ph.D., as president and CEO when Perlin retires from the accreditation organization at the end of 2026. 

Prior to joining the nonprofit Joint Commission, Merlino held roles at Cleveland Clinic, most recently as chief clinical transformation officer. He was responsible for building and managing a high-performing team defining enterprise safety, quality, patient experience, strategy and shepherding business development. In his previous role as chief experience officer, Merlino led the transformation of Cleveland Clinic’s culture and pioneered the emergence of patient experience as part of the Clinic’s global brand.

Merlino also previously served as chief transformation officer of Press Ganey, where he developed the organization’ s consulting services division and later evolved that offering to include advisory services as a broader, more holistic transformational support model. While at Press Ganey, Merlino also pioneered an integrated framework for safety, quality and patient experience governance, and led strategy sessions with healthcare organizations across the United States.

The organization said Perlin’s tenure has seen the most extensive transformation of accreditation since Medicare was established in 1965. Accomplishments include burden reduction, elimination of obsolete standards, and a focus on data-driven performance support and evaluation.

Internationally, Perlin introduced the Patient Safety Pathways Program to help 30 low and middle-income countries address prevalent safety issues.In 2024, Perlin spoke with Healthcare Innovation about several new certification programs involving sustainability, secondary use of health data, and health equity. 

Prior to Joint Commission, Perlin served as president, clinical operations and chief medical officer for HCA Healthcare, where he led teams of clinicians, data scientists and researchers, achieving national recognition for their work in reducing maternal mortality, increasing sepsis survival and development private-academic partnerships for improving infection prevention and treating COVID-19. Before HCA, Perlin was Under Secretary for Health in the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs.

“Jon’s legacy is one of service, trust, and commitment,” said Michael Suk, M.D., chairman of Joint Commission Board of Commissioners, in a statement. “His absolute dedication to supporting the noble work of our nation’s healthcare systems, elevating safety and quality – from the smallest rural hospital to the largest, most complex urban health system – is his life’s work. It’s been inspiring to see the impact he has made through his leadership of Joint Commission.”

“I’ve dedicated my life to improving quality and safety for patients, and it’s been my absolute honor to work alongside so many who share the same mission," said Perlin in a statement. “Jim Merlino holds the same commitment, the same passion for our mission and for the best care the patients our healthcare organizations serve – which is why he is the perfect choice to take the lead of this exceptional organization. Jim leads with a sharp focus on operating efficiency, improvement, and innovation, combined with empathy and commitment to colleagues both in Joint Commission and across healthcare.”

“Jon is a long-time colleague and friend. He has charted a course for Joint Commission that has revolutionized the way we look at quality and safety in our healthcare systems,” said Merlino in a statement. “I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to meaningfully carry forward that plan, while simultaneously advancing the next chapter of innovation and strategic improvement for Joint Commission and the healthcare organizations with whom we work. We are at a critical moment for all of healthcare. Healthcare quality and patient safety have never been more important. Safe, high-quality, patient-centered care should not be a burden, it is our responsibility. I am optimistic for the future and look forward to working with our healthcare organizations around the world to ensure that is realized.”

The board has asked Perlin to serve as a strategic advisor and hold the title of president emeritus, effective January 1, 2027. In that capacity, he will support a smooth transition and continuing high level domestic and international relationships.