Nashville – October 29, 2026 -- Sound Physicians has appointed Emil Engels, MD, MBA, as Chief Physician Officer for Sound Anesthesia, a newly created post that places a physician executive alongside a CRNA executive at the top of the unit's clinical leadership.
Engels joined in September and shares leadership with Chief Anesthetist Officer Noele Morse
Engels is a cardiac anesthesiologist with more than 25 years of experience leading anesthesia practices and healthcare organizations. He joined the medical group in September to work with Sound Anesthesia's physician leaders on operational excellence and clinical quality initiatives. He will work alongside Noele Morse, DNP, CRNA, the unit's Chief Anesthetist Officer. The same collaborative model extends to the associate-level roles.
Sound Anesthesia CEO David Leachman, MD, said physician anesthesiologists and CRNAs care for patients together every day and that "our leadership should reflect that." He pointed to Engels' experience leading anesthesia practices across multiple states and serving as CEO of an orthopedic organization.
Engels previously oversaw 12 anesthesia practices across four states at Mednax
Most recently, Engels was CEO of Aligned Orthopedic Partners. There he grew the organization through strategic acquisitions and new ancillary services, oversaw ambulatory surgery centers, and advanced value-based care initiatives with its surgeons.
As Market President for Mednax, he oversaw 12 anesthesia practices in four states. He also chaired a 150-clinician anesthesia practice covering two major tertiary care hospitals. He spent nearly 20 years as a cardiac anesthesiologist at Inova Health System and taught at the University of Virginia School of Medicine.
Engels targets on-time starts and surgeon experience for hospital partners
Engels said he wants hospital partners to see the results in on-time starts and a consistently strong experience for their surgeons. He also wants clinicians to have the support to practice at the top of their licenses.
He has served on the American Society of Anesthesiologists Board of Directors and as president of the Virginia Society of Anesthesiologists. He holds a medical degree from Yale School of Medicine and an MBA from the University of Tennessee. He completed his anesthesiology residency and cardiac anesthesia fellowship in the Harvard University system.