Uber Health Names its First-Ever Chief Medical Officer

Uber Health, Uber’s aptly named healthcare division, has named Dr. Michael Cantor as its first-ever Chief Medical Officer.

As Uber’s top medical executive, Dr. Cantor will help the company understand the needs of patients, clinicians and care coordinators and help the company better integrate its non-emergency medical transport and prescription delivery services into clinical workflows.

The hire also points to Uber’s greater investment in diversifying its revenue streams beyond its core ride-hailing business as it looks to boost its profitability. Currently, the company operates ventures in the health services (Uber Health), food delivery (Uber Eats) and freight forwarding markets (Uber Freight).

Dr. Cantor is a board-certified geriatrician — a doctor that specializes in treating older patients — and brings 20 years of experience designing clinical programs for the elderly and other vulnerable populations. Uber Health will likely leverage this experience to amplify its utility services for seniors, the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population. Armed with specialized features, Uber can expand the reach and appeal of its healthcare business and further differentiate itself from arch-rival Lyft, which entered the non-emergency medical transport business in 2021.

“I’ve seen first-hand how important leveraging transportation is in both improving clinical outcomes and creating care systems that allow patients to live independently in their community,” Dr. Cantor said in a press release. “That’s why I’m excited to join Uber as the team continues to build relevant solutions that aren’t just more efficient for healthcare providers but also help bring care more directly to patients at home on a community-wide scale.”

Global Head of Uber Health Caitlin Donovan stated that with Dr. Cantor’s expertise and the company’s strategic partnerships. “Uber Health is now better positioned than ever to scalably address issues that make healthcare frustrating, inefficient, and expensive for patients and providers,” Donovan said.

In 2021, gross bookings for Uber Health’s medical transit service grew 71% on the back of the pandemic. The company also launched its prescription delivery business and announced partnerships with Papa, Scriptdrop and MetroAtlanta Ambulance Service.