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SearchWilliams to transition from law department to new role Sept. 1
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Emily Williams, incoming Chief Compliance Officer
Cleveland Clinic has appointed Emily Williams to the role of Chief Compliance Officer, effective Sept. 1. In this executive-level position, Williams will lead Cleveland Clinic’s corporate compliance program in conjunction with the organization’s law department.
With a decade of service in Cleveland Clinic’s law department, Williams has been an advisor to hospital executives and is currently general counsel for Cleveland Clinic Akron General, Mercy and Union hospitals. Additionally, she is the law department practice group chair for hospital operations, overseeing legal work related to licensure and accreditation surveys for main campus and all Ohio regional hospitals.
Williams has practiced law since 2005, representing healthcare providers at large national firms and as general counsel at Cardinal Health at Home. She worked at Baker & Hostetler, LLP, in Cleveland, serving as healthcare regulatory counsel for transactions involving hospitals and physician practice groups. Additionally, she worked at Taft Stettinius & Hollister, LLP, in Columbus, also focusing on healthcare regulatory matters.
Williams received her law degree from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Miami University.
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Don Sinko, Chief Integrity Officer
Don Sinko, Cleveland Clinic’s Chief Integrity Officer, is retiring from the organization on Oct. 15. He has been on Cleveland Clinic’s leadership team since 2000. Sinko will work with Williams as she transitions to her new role.
Sinko currently leads internal audit and corporate compliance programs that focus on compliance, business ethics and internal controls. These programs help ensure adherence to federal, state and local regulations; support the development of standards and policies for ethical conduct; and follow up on reports of suspected noncompliance.
“Emily Williams has been a trusted legal advisor to several hospital executives and is well positioned to lead and strengthen our compliance efforts,” said Tom Mihaljevic, M.D., Cleveland Clinic CEO and President, and holder of the Morton L. Mandel CEO Chair. “I extend my gratitude to Don Sinko for his commitment to Cleveland Clinic and its global reputation for excellence in the area of compliance.”
Cleveland Clinic is launching a search for the executive role responsible for internal auditing functions after Sinko’s retirement. The position will report to the audit committee of the board of directors with administrative oversight provided by the Chief Financial Officer.
Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation, Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. Cleveland Clinic is consistently recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for its expertise and care. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 83,000 employees worldwide are more than 6,600 salaried physicians and researchers, and 21,900 registered nurses and advanced practice providers, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic is a 6,725-bed health system that includes a 173-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 23 hospitals, 300 outpatient facilities, including locations in northeast Ohio; Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England. In 2025, there were 15.9 million outpatient encounters, 343,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 336,000 surgeries and procedures throughout Cleveland Clinic’s health system. Visit us at clevelandclinic.org. Follow us at x.com/CleClinicNews. News and resources are available at newsroom.clevelandclinic.org.
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