Jean E. Robillard, MD, UI vice president for medical affairs and dean of the UI Carver College of Medicine, announced July 16 the appointment of the senior leadership team that will assist him in leading the newly reorganized University of Iowa Health Care enterprise into the future.

This team will direct the strategic priorities of the organization, in which University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, and University of Iowa Physicians are integrated under Robillard’s leadership.

“I am pleased to announce this expanded leadership structure,” Robillard said. “This team will be crucial in creating a seamless, efficient, and united organization that will achieve our primary goal of providing the highest quality patient care.”

Robillard said most of the positions constituting the leadership team are reassignments with expanded responsibilities, but a few are new appointments.

“Bringing together the experience and the best minds from academics, research, and clinical services will enable us to fully integrate, raise standards, and advance UI Health Care to the next level of distinction,” he said.

Robillard said that the expanded leadership structure is the first step in merging UI’s research, academic strengths, and patient care capabilities into a nimble, flexible organization that provides an integrated continuum of care and promotes partnerships across all departments and disciplines. He also commended those individuals continuing on the expanded team for their outstanding leadership and dedication to UI Health Care.

“We will have more exciting developments to announce in the near future,” he added. “With our highly experienced leadership team, we can move forward with initiatives that will benefit our patients, the communities we serve, our medical students, and the entire UI Health Care organization.”

The expanded UI Health Care senior management team under Robillard includes:

• Donna Katen-Bahensky, Senior Associate Vice President and CEO, UI Hospitals and Clinics. Responsible for managing operations of UI Hospitals and Clinics, overall quality and patient-focused care.
• Peter Densen, MD, Executive Dean, Carver College of Medicine. Oversees day-to-day operations of the CCOM. Responsible for leading all research and education functions of the college.
• Craig Syrop, MD, Associate Vice President for UI Physicians. Oversees development of a fully integrated faculty medical group model of patient-focused care. Leads organizational change to a “best practices” culture of service excellence. Serves as Chief Medical Officer of UI Physicians.
• Ken Fisher, Associate Vice President for Finance and CFO, UI Hospitals and Clinics. Provides financial leadership and services covering each component of UI Health Care. Oversees all major financial operations and related personnel within UI Health Care.
• Bill Hesson, Associate Vice President for Legal Affairs and Legal Counsel, UI Hospitals and Clinics. Oversees all legal matters for UI Health Care and its components. Works closely with UI General Counsel.
• Lee Carmen, Associate Vice President for Information Systems. Oversees comprehensive information technology services—including technical support, applications development and clinical applications—across the entire UI Health Care enterprise.
• Stacey Cyphert, PhD, Assistant Vice President for Health Policy. Provides leadership and advises the Vice President for Medical Affairs on local, state and federal legislative matters.
• Erin Minné, UI Foundation Vice President, Health Sciences Development. Leads fundraising activities and initiatives for UI Health Care. Serves as lead liaison between UI Foundation and UI Health Care and reports directly to the UI Foundation Senior Vice President, Development.
• Sarah England, PhD, Special Assistant to the Vice President. Advises the VP for Medical Affairs on various health policy matters and makes recommendations regarding opportunities for pursuing strategic initiatives. (~20% effort)
• Karen Butler, Executive Assistant to the Vice President. Provides administrative, organizational and strategic support to the VP for Medical Affairs; oversees day-to-day operations of the VP for Medical Affairs office.

Two positions are unfilled at this time:

• Associate Vice President for Marketing and Communications. Provides leadership for marketing, communications and external relations for UI Health Care. Oversees integration of these functions across the enterprise. A national search is planned to fill this position.
• Senior Advisor for Integrated Medical Center Planning. In consultation with VP for Medical Affairs, provides leadership and direction in managing strategic planning and business development across the entire UI Health Care enterprise.

For more information:

UI Carver College of Medicine

Leadership Team Profiles

Organization Chart