This message is sent on behalf of Jean E. Robillard, MD, Vice President for Medical Affairs, and Dean, UI Carver College of Medicine.

I am pleased to announce today the appointment of Gordon D. Williams to be the interim chief executive officer of UI Hospitals and Clinics, effective December, 31, 2007. In this role, he will serve as a member of the UI Health Care senior leadership team and report directly to me.

I originally recruited Gordon Williams to fill a role as senior advisor to the Vice President for Medical Affairs, beginning in early January 2008. However, his background and experience so nicely match with our need to temporarily fill the role of CEO for UI Hospitals and Clinics that I asked him to take on this responsibility. His appointment will end Dec. 31, 2008, or sooner, if the national search for a permanent leader of the hospital is completed earlier.

Gordon takes over responsibilities from Ken Fisher, associate vice president for Finance and chief financial officer of UI Hospitals and Clinics, who graciously took on the CEO responsibilities following Donna Katen-Bahensky’s announcement that she would be leaving. When Gordon arrives, Ken will return to focusing all his energy and attention on financial matters for our integrated enterprise.

Gordon 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. In addition to his leadership experience with an integrated academic medical center at a Big 10 university, Gordon is very familiar with the Iowa City area, having grown up here, graduating from the UI with a bachelor’s degree in zoology, and working at the Iowa City Veteran’s Administration Medical Center.

Williams' 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.

Prior to 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.

I look forward working with Gordon and am sure that he will help us continue the successful leadership of UI Hospitals and Clinics, as well as contribute to the UI Health Care senior leadership team. When he arrives we will make sure he has the opportunity to meet and greet as many of you as possible.