St. Mary’s Healthcare Taps Physician Leader Dr. Brian McDermott As Vice President, Medical Affairs, and Chief Medical Officer
AMSTERDAM, N.Y., July 29, 2025—Dr. Brian McDermott, an infectious disease expert and physician leader, has joined St. Mary’s Healthcare as vice president of medical affairs and chief medical officer.
Dr. McDermott was chosen for his clinical expertise, emphasis on safety and quality, and leadership in helping physicians and organizations adapt to an ever-changing healthcare environment. During his 16 years in the Capital Region, Dr. McDermott has earned a reputation for building consensus and improving coordination of care and patient outcomes. He also played an essential role in shaping regional hospitals’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Dr. McDermott has led some of the region’s most effective infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship initiatives and, as a result, has had a powerful, positive impact on patient care,” said Jeff Methven, president and CEO of St. Mary’s Healthcare. “His deep understanding of patient, provider and organizational perspectives and needs, coupled with his collaborative leadership approach, will prove invaluable as St. Mary’s continues to evolve to best serve our community.”
Dr. McDermott comes to St. Mary’s from Saratoga Hospital, where he was the division chief for infectious disease and medical director for infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship. Previously, he was on the medical team at Glens Falls Hospital, where he rose from physician advisor to associate chief medical officer to senior vice president for clinical integration. He also served as an infectious disease physician and medical director at Hudson Headwaters Health Network in Queensbury.
A graduate of Columbia University in New York City, Dr. McDermott earned a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine on Long Island. He completed a residency in internal medicine and fellowship in infectious disease, both at Winthrop of University Hospital, also on Long Island. In addition, he has a Master of Business Administration in healthcare management from the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania.
Dr. McDermott is board certified in internal medicine and infectious disease. He is a member of the Infectious Disease Society of America, American College of Physicians and American College of Healthcare Executives.