Team Spotlight:
Christopher Raio, MD, MBA, FACEP, FAIUM Chief Medical Officer of Progressive Emergency Physicians (PEP)
June 13, 2023
Christopher Raio, MD, MBA, FACEP, FAIUM is a dedicated physician leader and Chief Medical Officer of Progressive Emergency Physicians (PEP). Dr. Raio serves as Chief of Emergency Medicine for Catholic Health and Chairperson of Emergency Medicine at Good Samaritan University Hospital in West Islip, New York, a 537-bed, Level I trauma center. As a collaborative and results-oriented leader, Dr. Raio understands that a strong sense of friendship and support among team members enhances not only their well-being but also the overall effectiveness and productivity of the group. His commitment to cultivating a culture of camaraderie and connection within the PEP team promotes unity, collaboration, and mutual support leading to enhanced teamwork and exceptional patient care. Dr. Raio has been a visionary in the field of Emergency Medicine for his group with early adaptation of clinical decision and observation units in the emergency department. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he helped develop programs to help the community access care in an already stressed system. He is a nationally recognized leader in the field of emergency ultrasound where he has advocated for its use to improve cost-effective patient care. Dr. Raio has been instrumental in implementing throughput innovations such as the introduction of emergency medical technicians to facilitate an expedited discharge process working in the ED as discharge navigators.
Clinical Leadership Experience in Emergency Medicine
Dr. Raio completed his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with honors at the University of Florida and graduated from the Howard University College of Medicine in 2000. He completed his Emergency Medicine residency training as chief resident at North Shore University Hospital in 2003 and pursued emergency ultrasound fellowship training the following year. Dr. Raio received his MBA in Health Services Management with Distinction from Hofstra University in 2012. Prior to joining Progressive Emergency Physicians, Dr. Raio served as Vice Chairman of Emergency Medicine at the North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, New York. He has extensive experience in Emergency Department operations and Observation Medicine, having also served as the Medical Director of North Shore’s Clinical Decision Unit. Dr. Raio is well-published and has held several academic appointments including Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at The Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine. He previously served on the Board of Directors for the New York Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians.
Interview with Dr. Raio
Q: When did you decide to become a physician?
I really did not decide to pursue medical school until my 3rd year of undergrad at the University of Florida. I was a political science major at UF because initially, I thought about going to law school. I did take a few pre-med classes and as I got closer to graduation, I finally realized that becoming a physician was what I really wanted to do. Initially, I wanted to pursue orthopedics and sports medicine, but I really did not enjoy the actual operating room environment. I was completely sold on Emergency Medicine after my EM rotation at Howard University Hospital. I love the pace and challenge of the ED. As an Emergency Physician, it is important to never forget that we are impacting many people’s lives each and every day.
Q: What is your favorite part about working with Progressive Emergency Physicians (PEP) and ECP?
Progressive is built from a really strong group of talented physicians who value not only our practice but also our friendships. ECP only added to that mentality, and it’s been great to work with and get to know partners across the country who share the same values. As a group, we are very focused on our patients and the specialty of Emergency Medicine, and that passion makes “work” very rewarding.
Q: What do you find most challenging about your job?
There can be some very tough shifts, as every EM physician has experienced. There is definitely a skill in being able to handle those really busy days and then not letting the stressful environment of the ED have any negative effects on you individually outside of work. Friends and family can always help with that, and one of the strengths of our group is that the friendships we have within PEP offer an entire team of support when needed as well.
Q: Outside of work, how do you like to spend your time?
Spending time with friends and family is definitely #1 on the list. I am also an avid sports fan and spend a lot of time coaching my two kids when I have the time.
About Progressive Emergency Physicians
Headquartered in Long Island, New York, PEP is an emergency medicine group with a unique ownership model that attracts clinicians seeking a culture of accountability and innovation necessary to meet the evolving demands and challenges facing emergency medicine today. Combining clinical, operational, and academic excellence, PEP delivers best-in-class care and economic performance. PEP’s democratic partnership-driven culture promotes alignment, accountability, and innovation. The group’s substantial academic experience includes management of a large Emergency Medicine residency program as well as a Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship Program and additional fellowships in Emergency Ultrasound, Observation Medicine, and Administration and Leadership. Currently, PEP staffs and manages seven hospital emergency departments, treating approximately 300,000 patients annually. The company also staffs and manages Observation Units in five of these client hospitals. PEP also operates fellowship programs for physician assistants and emergency department discharge programs staffed with EMTs. PEP offers a variety of additional programs to support emergency department and hospital throughput, quality metrics, and risk management.
About Emergency Care Partners
Headquartered in Pensacola, Florida, ECP is a leading provider of emergency medicine and emergency department management services for hospitals across the U.S. with current operations in Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, Louisiana, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. ECP currently sees more than 1,200,000 patient visits annually across operations at 46 sites of service, supported by a clinical workforce of 900+ physicians and mid-level providers. ECP employs a differentiated model relative to other platforms in the industry, highlighted by the ability to maintain ownership through its physician partnership model and for regional/local groups to maintain their branding and clinical autonomy while benefitting from ECP’s resources.
To learn more about Dr. Raio, ECP, or PEP, please fill out our contact form.