The American Medical Association (AMA) has announced the appointment of John Wigneswaran, MD, MBA, as its new chief operating officer (COO), effective June 1, 2026. Dr. Wigneswaran, who has more than two decades of leadership experience at major healthcare organizations, will oversee business operations, health solutions, information technology, AMA Insurance, and JAMA Publishing. He will also provide executive leadership for new ventures and innovation initiatives.
AMA Chief Executive Officer John Whyte stated that the COO role is central to the organization’s daily operations and its ability to deliver value to members and the broader healthcare community. He noted that Dr. Wigneswaran’s record of leading enterprise transformation and operational excellence at prominent healthcare companies positions him well to guide the AMA’s next phase of development.
Dr. Wigneswaran joins the AMA after serving in Senior Executive roles at Walmart, UnitedHealth Group, Cigna/Express Scripts, and Fresenius Medical Care. His background includes expertise in capital allocation, corporate governance, strategic partnerships, and enterprise transformation.
In remarks about his appointment, Dr. Wigneswaran expressed enthusiasm for joining the AMA at what he described as a significant moment for healthcare and medicine. He indicated that he aims to strengthen operations, innovation, and impact by drawing on his experience in operational transformation, clinical innovation, physician collaboration, and patient advocacy.
Dr. Wigneswaran earned his medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine and an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management. He completed renal fellowship training at Weill Cornell/NY Presbyterian Hospital and has nearly a decade of experience as a practicing nephrologist.
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