REDWOOD CITY, Calif. (March, 5, 2025) – Dignity Health Sequoia Hospital is pleased to announce the appointment of Anjali Rao, MD, MPH, OBGYN as its new Chief Medical Officer (CMO), effective March 3, 2025. Dr. Rao, a distinguished physician with nearly 20 years of experience in Northern California, has been an integral part of Sequoia Hospital for 15 years, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to patient care and clinical excellence. 

Dr. Rao has held several key leadership roles at Sequoia Hospital, including serving on the Medical Staff Quality Improvement Committee, founding and directing the Sequoia OB Hospitalist Program, and previously serving as Department Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Her deep expertise and leadership in women’s health have earned her widespread recognition among colleagues and patients alike. 

"I am honored to step into this role and continue serving the Sequoia Hospital community," shares Dr. Anjali Rao, Sequoia Hospital’s new Chief Medical Officer. "I look forward to working alongside our dedicated medical staff to enhance quality, safety, and innovation in patient care while ensuring we meet the evolving healthcare needs of our community." 

As CMO, Dr. Rao will act as a key liaison between hospital administration and the medical staff, aligning medical strategies with overall business objectives. She will focus on quality improvement initiatives, optimizing clinical operations, and ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations and ethical standards. 

"We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Rao as our new Chief Medical Officer," says Bill Graham, President and CEO of Sequoia Hospital. "Her experience, leadership, and dedication to patient-centered care make her an exceptional choice for this role. We are confident that Dr. Rao’s vision and extensive knowledge will further strengthen Sequoia Hospital’s commitment to delivering high-quality, compassionate care to our community." 

Dr. Rao is Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. She has contributed to several peer-reviewed journals on women's health and has been recognized with numerous accolades, including three Dignity

Health "Guardian Angel" awards at Sequoia Hospital, an OB/GYN Resident Award for Excellence in Patient Care from Stanford University Medical Center, and an Outstanding Surgeon Award from the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons. 

Dr. Rao earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of California, Los Angeles, where she was on the Dean’s Honor List. She went on to complete her joint MD/MPH degree at New York Medical College, graduating in the top 15 percent of her class, and later completed her residency at Stanford University Medical Center, where she served as Chief Resident of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 

Dr. Rao is Bay Area native and longtime resident of Redwood City. She resides with her husband, who is also a physician and their two teenage children. 

More information about Sequoia Hospital can be found here.

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About Dignity Health California 

Dignity Health California is a nonprofit network of over 9000 physicians, more than 35,000 employees, 29 acute care hospitals, and 200-plus care-centers, including community hospitals, urgent care, surgery and imaging centers, home health, and primary care clinics. Dignity Health California provides award-winning care to communities in five primary markets across the state: North State, Sacramento, Central Valley, Central Coast, and Southern California.

Dignity Health is a member of CommonSpirit Health, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit Catholic healthcare organizations, dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality, and affordable patient-centered care with special attention to the poor and underserved. Learn more at DignityHealth.org and CommonSpirit.org.