Gordon D. Williams has been named interim chief executive officer of University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, effective December, 31, 2007. The appointment was announced today by UI Vice President for Medical Affairs Jean E. Robillard, MD, to whom Williams will report.

Williams currently serves as executive vice dean and chief operating officer and vice chancellor for operations at the Duke University School of Medicine and Health System.

"I am extremely pleased that Gordon Williams has agreed to serve in this capacity as we conduct a national search for a chief executive officer," Robillard said. "The breadth and depth of his experience in budgeting, administration, planning and leadership will provide stability and strength during this time of transition in hospital leadership."

His responsibilities at Duke include School of Medicine budget and finance, resource planning, grants and contract and administration. For the Duke Health System, including the medical center, he managed corporate services, such as human resources, engineering and operations, the Occupational Environmental Safety Office, procurement, Architect's Office, Medical Center Information Systems, and leased properties.

In making the announcement, Robillard said he had originally planned to hire Williams to fill a role of special advisor to the vice president for medical affairs.

"His background and experience was such a good match for the qualities we need in a person to temporarily fill the role of CEO for UI Hospitals and Clinics that I asked him to take on this responsibility, and he agreed to do so," Robillard said.

Robillard said Williams’s appointment will end Dec. 31, 2008, or sooner, if the national search for a permanent leader of the hospital is completed earlier.

Gordon succeeds Ken Fisher, associate vice president for finance and chief financial officer of UI Hospitals and Clinics, who filled that role with the departure of Donna Katen-Bahensky. Fisher will return to focusing on financial matters for the UI Health Care integrated enterprise.

A native of Iowa City, Williams graduated from UI with a bachelor’s degree in zoology, and worked at the Iowa City Veteran’s Administration Medical Center.

Before joining Duke he held leadership management positions at institutions that have also integrated their clinical, academic, and research missions, including Northwestern University and the University of Pennsylvania. He has also served in the U. S. Air Force and in the Iowa Army National Guard.

For more information:

Jean E. Robillard, MD announcement