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Bryan Zimmerman

Dr. Bryan Zimmerman, Ph.D.

Vice President, Medical Quality

As the vice president of medical quality, a role he has since 2019, Bryan Zimmerman, Ph.D., is responsible for the overall quality and safety of the medical care provided by Operation Smile to patients with cleft conditions across the globe. 

Before joining Operation Smile, Zimmerman served as the quality and patient safety director for Bon Secours Mercy Health System, overseeing three hospitals from 2017 to 2018. In 2017, he retired as senior chief after completing a 26-year career in naval special warfare in Little Creek, Virginia. His Navy career was primarily devoted to serving as an independent duty corpsman in special operations with a specialty in combat trauma care and tactics, completing multiple clandestine and combat engagements. As a medical provider he was responsible for all aspects of medical science and care for upwards of 500 special operators conducting worldwide operations, including minor surgical procedures, diagnoses and various treatment modalities. 

Zimmerman is currently an active member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Special Operations Medical Association and the UDT/SEAL Association. He has been awarded numerous medals for valor in combat and is a gold medal recipient of the 1995 Marine Corps Super Squad Competition. He is a recognized expert of Waterborne Warfare and Survival Tactics. 

In 2020, he received a doctorate in strategic leadership of healthcare from Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia and subsequently achieved a certification in epidemiology. Zimmerman is a certified member of the International Board of Medicine and Surgery (global medicine specialist, quality), and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement in Patient Safety, Healthcare Quality and Quality Improvement.  

He has been married to Melinda Zimmerman for more than 20 years, and together they have four children: Tyler, LeeAnn, Xander and Avery. Zimmerman is a volunteer with Bluefield University men’s soccer program. In his personal time, he enjoys traveling with family, Pittsburgh Steelers football, soccer, diving, kayaking, running, endurance-focused fitness and golf. 

Born and raised in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, Zimmerman currently resides in Suffolk, Virginia.

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