Apple hires hospital chain exec for AC Wellness employee health clinics

CNBC reported late Thursday that Apple has hired M. Osman Akhtar, previously chief operating officer of Minnesota-based Fairview Health Services, to a top role with its AC Wellness employee health clinics.

Citing "people familiar with the hire," CNBC said Akhtar would report to Dr. Sumbul Desai, who Apple hired away from Stanford last year. It is unclear if Akhtar will be involed in other health-related Apple projects.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune, citing a bondholder disclosure, had reported August 28 that Akhtar was "leaving to pursue a job outside of traditional health care that will nonetheless 'bring technology and health care together.'"

Akhtar, who holds a Masters in Health Administration from St. Louis University, also previously worked at Stanford. He was, according to his LinkedIn profile, a Senior Associate Chair and Director of Finance and Administration for Stanford University School of Medicine. He had been chief operating officer at Fairview Health Services in Minnesota since mid-2017, working before that at Sutter Health.

Apple revealed in February that it was launching the AC Wellness clinics, with one located in the Apple Park building.

"We believe that having trusting, accessible relationships with our patients, enabled by technology, promotes high-quality care and a unique patient experience," the AC Wellness website says.