Who is Ralph Yates?

Ralph A. Yates, D.O., chief medical officer of Salem Health and the Salem Health Medical Group, has over 36 years of experience in the health care industry.  Dr. Yates arrived at Salem Hospital as chief medical officer for the Salem Health Medical Group in 2014 from The Portland Clinic, where he served as a partner and branch medical director. A family physician, he carried a full clinical load in addition to his duties as a partner. He helped create The Portland Clinic’s 400 clinician ACO, the Portland Coordinated Care Association, serving as its first medical director and chair of its board.  Dr. Yates is Clinical Asst. Professor of Family Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences (1985-Present) and Clinical Assoc. Professor, Dept of Family Medicine, Oregon Health Sciences University (1990-Present). He was appointed by the Governor to the Oregon Medical Board from 2008-2014 during which he served as chair (2011-2012).  

Dr. Yates received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kirksville, MO. A graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy, he served in the United States Coast Guard for five years after graduation, leaving as a Lieutenant, and later the USCG Reserve as Lieutenant Commander.  

Dr. Yates is a member of the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians, American College of Sports Medicine, American Diabetes Association, American Osteopathic Association, Oregon Medical Association, and Osteopathic Physicians & Surgeons of Oregon. 

As Chief Medical Officer for the Salem Health Medical Group, Dr Yates oversees and medically directs the fifteen departments and 155 clinicians of the group and continues to see patients one day a week in one of the group’s family physician locations. As chief medical officer of Salem Health, he is responsible for oversight of medical staff issues, medical staff engagement, clinical safety, developing partnerships and implementing strategy for continuous improvement within Salem Hospital.

He has a personal interest and passion regarding diabetes and three years ago concluded four years as Chair of the American Diabetes Association Research Foundation where he led the creation of the Pathway Campaign, a nearly $200 million capital campaign to find, fund and inter-connect the next generation of innovative diabetes researchers.