Providence Clinical Network announces Sam Bajaj as new chief operating officer
RENTON, WASH., Mar. 21, 2025 – Providence Clinical Network (PCN), part of the Providence family of organizations, is pleased to announce the appointment of Sam Bajaj, JD, MHA, as the new chief operating officer, effective March 31, 2025.
Sam Bajaj brings over 17 years of extensive healthcare leadership experience across diverse care settings to PCN. His strategic vision and operational excellence are poised to drive efficiency and innovation within our ambulatory care services, benefitting our patients, physicians, APPs, and caregivers alike.
Most recently, Sam served as the COO of Optum California, where he managed a $7 billion P&L and held accountability for financial performance, growth, access, care quality, and patient experience. While at Optum, key areas of impact included teammate engagement and the integration of operations across six legacy care delivery organizations. Sam’s experience also includes significant leadership roles at Kaiser Permanente, where he oversaw hospital and health plan operations in the San Jose area, and his early career as a federal prosecutor at the United States Federal Trade Commission.
Susan Huang, chief physician executive, Providence, and chief executive, Providence Clinical Network, stated, “Sam’s appointment is a significant milestone for PCN. His proven track record in healthcare leadership and his commitment to teammate engagement will be invaluable as we continue to transform ambulatory care in service to our communities, physicians, and caregivers."
As the new COO, Sam will spearhead the optimization of operations, drive strategic initiatives, and foster alignment across teams to enhance performance. His efforts will focus on improving patient experience, advancing population health, increasing affordability, and enhancing the clinician and caregiver experience.
“It is a privilege to help shape the health care industry for the betterment of patients and clinicians,” shared Mr. Bajaj. “I am excited to join Providence to help further the organization's mission. Providence's unwavering commitment to health for a better world truly inspired me to be a part of this team, and together, I believe we can continue to make a meaningful impact on patient care and on our communities."
Sam holds a Master of Healthcare Administration from Rush University, a Juris Doctor from DePaul University College of Law, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Illinois. He has also completed executive education at Harvard Business School.
About Providence
Providence is a not-for-profit Catholic health system and one of the nation’s largest health systems, comprising a diverse family of organizations and driven by a belief that health is a human right. With 51 hospitals, over 1,000 physician clinics, senior services, supportive housing, and many other health and educational services, the health system and its partners employ more than 120,000 caregivers serving communities across seven states – Alaska, California, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, and Washington, with system offices in Renton, Wash., and Irvine, Calif. Learn about our vision of health for a better world at Providence.org.
