Karen DeSalvo, a prominent figure in healthcare technology and policy, is set to retire from her role as Google’s chief health officer this summer. Her departure was announced last week on LinkedIn, marking the end of her tenure at the tech giant.
During her time at Google, DeSalvo played a crucial role in the company’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. She led efforts to provide access to reliable health information through Google search and YouTube, as well as overseeing the development of artificial intelligence in healthcare. Her last day at Google is scheduled for August 1st.
In a statement on LinkedIn, DeSalvo expressed gratitude for the opportunity to leverage Google’s resources for the betterment of global health. She highlighted the impact of Google’s platform, which reaches millions of users daily seeking information and support for their health journey.
DeSalvo joined Google in 2019 as the company’s first chief health officer, following a distinguished career in the federal government. She previously served as acting assistant secretary for health at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and as national coordinator for health information technology during the Obama administration. Additionally, she was a commissioner on the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), advising Congress on healthcare policy.
After DeSalvo’s retirement, Michael Howell, currently Google’s chief clinical officer, will assume leadership of the company’s healthcare initiatives. Howell, who brings experience as chief quality officer at the University of Chicago Medicine, is well-positioned to continue Google’s healthcare advancements.
Google has no plans to fill the chief clinical officer role vacated by Howell, but will maintain a clinical team dedicated to enhancing healthcare across the company and its products. The transition marks a new chapter in Google’s healthcare strategy, building on the foundation laid by DeSalvo’s leadership.
