Pejman Salimpour

Pejman Salimpour is an Iranian-American physician, professor and business executive. He is the co-founder of both CareNex Health Services (now a part of Anthem) and Plymouth Health. He is also the former owner of Alvarado Hospital in San Diego, California.^[1] He was the lead physician in a campaign that successfully challenged the legality of certain exclusivity agreements between hospitals and doctors' groups in California.^[2]

Salimpour was born in England and grew up in Tehran, Iran, along with two sisters and a younger brother, Pedram Salimpour. His father was a pediatrician, and the family lived in a Persian Jewish community during the Iranian Revolution in the late 1970s.^[3] Amid escalating violence, Salimpour immigrated to Philadelphia when he was 17 years old and lived with an uncle who had immigrated to the United States a few years earlier.^[3] Salimpour taught himself English by spending his nights at a library, reading books in English and translating them into Persian by looking up each word in a dictionary.^[3]

Salimpour's family immigrated to the United States about six months after he did, settling in Los Angeles, California. His father started working at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and eventually opened up a pediatric office in the area.^[3] Salimpour attended the University of California, Los Angeles, where he earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry in 1983.^[3] He moved on to Washington University School of Medicine, where he earned his medical degree in 1987 before completing his residency at Harbor–UCLA Medical Center in 1990.^[4]

In medicine, Salimpour has worked as a physician, professor, business executive and owner of medical facilities. He practices part-time in the Salimpour Pediatric Medical Group, the practice founded by his father,^[5] and he previously served as chief of pediatrics at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.^[6][7]

In the mid-1990s, Salimpour led an initiative that opposed exclusivity contracts between hospitals and physicians.^[4] These agreements barred competing physicians from caring for patients at certain hospitals.^[2] His involvement began after Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center informed him that his patients could not be seen by neonatologists from his practice.^[2][8] At the time, his practice included perinatologists who treat high-risk pregnancies as well as neonatologists who treated new-born babies.^[9]

As part of his effort, Salimpour and other physicians, nurses and the California Medical Association petitioned the California State Legislature and the California Health and Human Services Agency.^[2] After a two-year campaign that included lobbying and an anti-trust lawsuit, hospitals receiving state funding were required to allow neonatologists to see patients regardless of an exclusivity agreement.^[2]

Salimpour has worked as a business executive and entrepreneur in the field of medicine. His work includes the co-founding of two medical companies and the co-ownership of one of San Diego's largest hospitals. He is the co-founder of CareNex Health Services, a health-care technology company that specializes in neonatal and perinatal disease management.^[1] With his brother Pedram, he founded the company in 2005. It was acquired by WellPoint (now Anthem) in 2013. The brothers also founded the physician-owned company Plymouth Health, formed specifically for the purpose of acquiring Alvarado Hospital Medical Center in San Diego, California.^[1] Prior to the purchase, the hospital was owned by Tenet Healthcare Corporation, which was accused of paying kickbacks to physicians for referrals to the hospital.^[10] Tenet settled a civil complaint filed against them, which included a $21 million settlement and agreement to either close or sell the hospital. Salimpour and his company closed the purchase in 2007, paying approximately $36.5 million.^[1] He upgraded the hospital's equipment and recruited additional physicians during his tenure. He made the decision to sell the hospital to Prime Healthcare Services in 2010.^[11]

Salimpour went into public service in 2005 with a White House appointment to the National Latino Healthcare Task Force and the United States Small Business Administration National Advisory Council.^[4][12][13] Outside of government appointments, he was elected to the board of directors for the American Academy of Pediatrics (California Chapter) and the Los Angeles County Medical Association.^[12] He is also a member of the House of Delegates of the California Medical Association and a board member of the California Medical Association Political Action Committee.^[14]

Salimpour is also a professor of clinical pediatrics at the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Medicine.^[6] With his brother Pedram and his father Ralph Salimpour, he co-authored Photographic Atlas of Pediatric Disorders and Diagnosis.^[15]

Salimpour received a Distinguished Record of Service Commendation from California Governor Gray Davis for his work with children in the State of California.^[4] In 2012 he was given an Alumni Achievement Award by the Washington University School of Medicine^[4] and in 2014 he was listed as one of Hollywood's Top Doctors by The Hollywood Reporter.^[16] He has been listed as a 'SuperDoctor' by L.A. Magazine for five consecutive years beginning in 2010.^[17]

Salimpour is involved in philanthropy efforts related to his field. He is the co-founder of NexCare Collaborative^[18], a 501c3 organization that helps find affordable health insurance for poor families in the Los Angeles area.^[6] It also provides free referrals to medical services for foster children.^[19] Also known as First 5 LA Connect, the collaborative provides a help line with bilingual staff who assist those needing affordable health care or referrals.^[20]

Salimpour is married to Daphna Salimpour, an architect and interior designer, with whom he has three daughters.^[3]

• Plymouth Health official website