In New Role as Chair of Medicine, Florez Hopes to Empower Mass General’s Best Asset: The People

For Jose Florez, MD, PhD, there’s no question what makes Massachusetts General Hospital a special place to work. “It’s not the walls, it’s not the institution, it’s not the history,” he says. “It’s the people.”

“I think there’s an equal commitment to excellence in all we do at every level—from physicians and researchers to nursing, environmental services and the cafeteria,” he explains. “I also think there’s a real commitment to the people we serve. We’re doing something because there’s a greater cause.”

In his new role as chair of the Department of Medicine, Florez will work to support that culture of collaboration and compassion while keeping the hospital’s mission front and center.

“One of the reasons I took this job is because I was persuaded by everybody I talked to—from Mass General Brigham (MGB) leadership all the way down—that we are committed to our fourfold mission, which includes patient care, research, education and community. And those four pillars are non-negotiable. They’re part of who we are.”