Michele Arnold, MD
“Dr. Arnold exemplifies the qualities of an exceptional physician leader, consistently demonstrating strategic vision, innovative problem-solving, and unwavering commitment to collaboration and excellence. Her leadership not only strengthened her department but also had a lasting, positive impact across our organization.”
John W. Morehouse, MD, FACEP, Physician-in-Chief, KP East Bay
Rita Ng, MD, FACC, Physician-in-Chief, KP East Bay
As KP East Bay’s Chief of Anesthesiology, Michele Arnold, MD, has consistently shown the ability to tackle complex, cross-departmental challenges, and she has been instrumental in driving meaningful change with wisdom, patience, and steady leadership.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, she played a pivotal role in mobilizing teams to support critical care. Faced with the overwhelming and evolving crisis, Dr. Arnold took decisive action to redeploy anesthesiologists and specialists in support of intensive care units and other essential functions, ensuring that critically ill patients received life-saving care. She worked across departments to quickly adapt workflows and implement innovative strategies to maximize resources, while prioritizing the well-being and resilience of her teams.
During a severe physician shortage, Dr. Arnold took proactive, strategic steps to recruit dozens of new anesthesiologists while fostering a culture of engagement and fulfillment. The KP East Bay anesthesiology department boasts the highest Joy and Meaning in Medicine (JAMM) scores in KP Northern California, reflecting a motivated, collaborative, and high-performing team.
Dr. Arnold’s passion for leadership is evident in her commitment to empowering others. “As a team, my department has navigated some particularly difficult times the last several years,” she says. “In the end, I believe we are stronger now, not despite the challenges, but actually because of them.”