Editor’s Note: Dr. Mukherji is the Medical Director for the Kentuckiana Health Collaborative. Dr. Mukherji is a recognized authority in Head & Neck and Neuroradiology. His primary scientific interests have focused on investigating emerging metabolic and physiologic imaging techniques to evaluate head and neck cancer and to differentiate recurrent tumors from post-therapeutic changes.
Suresh K. Mukherji, MD, MBA, FACR
Job Title: Medical Director
What do you see as the biggest threat to our community’s health? How do you feel it needs to be addressed?
The biggest challenge is affordability of health care. Studies show that people are overall satisfied with care they receive. The challenge is affordability. There should be expansion of a public option and ensure equal access for those who choose this option.
Lowering cost is one of the three main priorities of the Triple Aim. What are the best strategies for addressing cost in our community?
This should start with drug pricing. Medicare should play a larger role for negotiating prices and our advanced therapeutics should be benchmarked to pharmaceutical prices charged in Canada and Europe.
Why do you think a multi-stakeholder coalition like the KHC is needed in the community
It is essential to partner with different stakeholders to understand their perspectives and identify common goals to help drive consensus. Meaningful change can be achieved when different communities and corporations have a unified voice.
What is the KHC’s biggest contribution to improving community health and healthcare?
Continuing to encourage community outreach and inviting civic, corporate and health care leaders to share their thoughts and vision to help create common goals and develop consensus for improving the value of our health care system.
What is your favorite quote?
“I’m more interested in the future than in the past, because the future is where I intend to live.” — Albert Einstein
What do you do in your spare time?
I like to exercise… Love playing tennis, golf, basketball and running. I have been known to call into sports talk radio shows using the Alias “Steve”. I once called in using my real name and was “outed” since my name is unique. So, I always have to use an alias.
What is your guilty pleasure?
I am an avid watcher of the sports talk show Pardon The Interruption and my wife and I have a weekly date to watch the new Magnum PI.
What are you passionate about?
Life!
What is your favorite app or social media outlet?
If you could spend the day with one celebrity, who would it be and why?
Since I am from KY, I will give an unusual answer. If horses could talk and if he were alive…it would be Secretariat…the greatest horse of all time.
What is your dream vacation spot?
Maldives
If Hollywood made a movie of your life; who would you like to see play the lead role as you?
Jay Ali
If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the Title should be?
Resilience
