William Killinger has been named chief medical officer at HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake and its Texas City campus, HCA Houston Healthcare Mainland, according to a July 9 news release from HCA Houston Healthcare.

Killinger began serving in this role in May for both hospitals and affiliated sites of care, per the release. He was the highest volume surgeon contributor in the U.S. to the SYNTAX clinical trial, an international study of coronary artery bypass surgery versus stents for multi-vessel coronary disease, per the release.

The fourth-generation physician, who was raised in Florida, had a 27-year career as a cardiothoracic surgeon in North Carolina. He most recently served as CMO at the Medical Center of Trinity in Trinity, Florida, which is part of HCA Healthcare's West Florida division.

HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake is a 532-bed, full-service hospital offering inpatient and outpatient medical as well as surgical and specialty services to the Bay Area, including the area's only pediatric intensive care unit. HCA Houston Healthcare Mainland, a campus of HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake, has services including heart and vascular care, general and minimally invasive surgery, orthopedic surgery and rehabilitation services; the campus is also a Level IV trauma center, an accredited chest pain center and a primary stroke center, per the release. www.hcahoustonhealthcare.com