Franklin, TN and Dallas, TX – May 14, 2026 — US Heart & Vascular (USHV), a leading national physician-led cardiovascular platform, today announced the appointment of Rick Snyder, MD, FACC as Chief Physician Executive, signaling an increased focus on physician leadership, patient access, and national advocacy at a pivotal moment for cardiovascular care.
Dr. Snyder, President of HeartPlace and a member of the USHV Board of Directors, is widely recognized as a leading voice for independent physicians and a champion for policies that promote timely patient access and clinical autonomy.
In this newly established role, Dr. Snyder will help shape USHV’s clinical and strategic direction, strengthen physician alignment across the platform, and represent USHV in national conversations around healthcare policy, value-based care, and the future of independent medicine.
“Healthcare is at an inflection point,” said Robbie Allen, Chief Executive Officer of US Heart & Vascular. “At US Heart & Vascular, we believe the best healthcare is patient-centered, physician-led, and professionally managed. The creation of the Chief Physician Executive role is a direct investment in that belief.
“Physicians need a stronger voice in shaping the systems they practice in—and patients need better access to high-quality, cost-effective care. Rick brings both credibility and conviction to that mission. His leadership will help ensure USHV continues to lead—not follow—in defining the future of cardiovascular care.”
Dr. Snyder’s influence extends well beyond his clinical practice. Formerly he served as President of the Texas Medical Association, on the Board of Governors of the American College of Cardiology as well as President of ACC’s Texas Chapter. Dr Snyder currently is the Vice President of the American Independent Medical Practice Association. He has spent decades working in DC and Austin at the intersection of medicine, policy, and advocacy—helping physicians navigate consolidation, reimbursement pressures, and the transition to value-based care.
His perspective has been shaped by firsthand experience with the consequences of limited access to care—reinforcing his belief that “coverage is not the same thing as access, and access to a waiting list is not the same thing as access to healthcare” and that meaningful healthcare reform must prioritize timely, coordinated, physician-led care.
“As physicians, we have a responsibility not only to care for patients, but to help shape the system they rely on,” said Dr. Snyder. “The future of cardiovascular care will be defined by our ability to preserve clinical autonomy, expand timely access, and deliver better outcomes at lower cost. USHV is uniquely positioned to do that at scale—and I’m proud to help lead that effort.”
This appointment underscores USHV’s commitment to a physician-led model—one that aligns clinical excellence with operational scale, supports independent practices, and ensures that innovation in cardiovascular care remains grounded in the patient-physician relationship.
About US Heart & Vascular
US Heart & Vascular is a national provider of support services to independent, physician-led cardiovascular practices. Through a shared services model and strategic investment in technology, operations, and value-based care, USHV empowers physicians to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care while maintaining clinical autonomy.
To read more about Dr. Rick Snyder and USHV’s leadership team, follow him on LinkedIn and please visit https://usheartandvascular.com/about/team/.