Dr. Edith A. Perez has built her career by choosing winners. Mayo Clinic Professor Emeritus. Vice President at Genentech. Chief Medical Officer at Bolt Biotherapeutics. Each transition represented a calculated decision to align with organizations capable of advancing cancer research and patient care at the highest levels.
Her latest move—joining Cornerstone Specialty Network as Chief Medical Officer—validates Reeve Waud and Waud Capital Partners as a healthcare investment firm that attracts the industry’s most respected clinical leaders. When physicians of Dr. Perez’s caliber trust their careers to private equity-backed platforms, it signals something profound about the firm’s reputation and approach.
Three Decades of Building Healthcare Trust
Reeve Waud’s credibility in healthcare circles stems from consistent execution over 30 years. His founding of Acadia Healthcare in 2005 demonstrated the ability to build healthcare platforms from concept to public company success. The behavioral health network’s growth from startup to over 260 facilities—culminating in its 2011 IPO—established Waud as a healthcare investor who understands clinical operations, not just financial metrics.
Crucially, Waud remained engaged long after the typical private equity exit. He continues serving as Chairman of Acadia Healthcare’s board, demonstrating commitment to the long-term success of healthcare platforms rather than quick financial gains. This extended involvement signals to healthcare leaders that Waud Capital Partners builds sustainable businesses, not temporary profit centers.
Clinical Excellence Attracts Clinical Excellence
Dr. Perez’s appointment reflects Waud Capital’s commitment to clinical leadership within its healthcare investments. Her credentials are formidable: over 300 published research articles, groundbreaking work on HER2-positive breast cancer treatment, and leadership roles spanning academia, industry, and biotechnology.
Her research fundamentally changed breast cancer treatment. According to available sources, her work on the N9831 trial demonstrated that adding trastuzumab (Herceptin) to chemotherapy improved survival rates for patients with early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer. This breakthrough helped save thousands of lives globally and established her as a leader in translational cancer research.
Healthcare executives of this caliber typically have numerous opportunities. Dr. Perez’s choice to join a Waud Capital portfolio company suggests the firm offers something competitors cannot: a platform with sufficient scale and resources to advance clinical innovation while maintaining focus on patient outcomes.
Partnership Philosophy Over Traditional Employment
The appointment demonstrates Waud Capital’s partnership approach with healthcare leaders. Rather than simply hiring Dr. Perez as an employee, Provider Network Holdings created a Chief Medical Officer position specifically designed to leverage her expertise across the platform’s 1,500 provider network.
Dr. Perez expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity: “I am honored to officially join Cornerstone Specialty Network, an organization I have seen evolve into a leader in community oncology, at such a pivotal time for specialty care.”
Her statement reveals familiarity with Cornerstone’s development, suggesting she observed the organization’s growth under Waud Capital’s guidance before deciding to join. This careful evaluation process reflects the due diligence that elite healthcare leaders apply when choosing career opportunities.
Industry Signal to Healthcare Executives
Dr. Perez’s appointment sends a clear message to other healthcare leaders: Waud Capital Partners offers a credible alternative to traditional academic medicine, large pharmaceutical companies, and hospital systems. The firm’s track record of building sustainable healthcare platforms while maintaining clinical excellence creates attractive opportunities for physician leaders seeking to impact patient care at scale.
