The University is planning to implement a new managerial position - chief executive officer of the Medical Center - in an effort to strengthen leadership and oversight of University hospitals and clinics.
Creation of the CEO position is part of a broader movement by the University to handle the increasing complexities facing hospitals across the nation, said Leonard W. Sandridge, University executive vice president and chief operating officer.
"In recent years the operation of hospitals has become more complex on a national basis," Sandridge said. "We are no exception."
Because it is a teaching hospital, the University's Medical Center faces unique obstacles, University President John T. Casteen III said.
Officials are trying to "improve our hedges against the financial losses and other problems that teaching hospitals have incurred in recent years," Casteen said.
Since November 1999, Sandridge has been responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Medical Center.
The new CEO will take on the everyday duties but still ultimately answer to Sandridge. The change will allow Sandridge to devote more time to his other duties, which include financial and administrative operations, he said.
"This is an attempt to align the hospital operations with the rest of the University," he added. "This will put the hospital under the same umbrella as other University operations units."
Before November 1999, Medical Center employees answered to Robert W. Cantrell, vice president and provost for health sciences.
Upon selection of the new CEO, Cantrell will continue in his current capacity as chief of the Medical School, Nursing School and Health Sciences Library.
The Board of Visitors and Casteen began the shift in operations management after recognizing that Sandridge needed a stronger infrastructure beneath him, University spokeswoman Louise Dudley said.
Whoever is selected to fill the CEO position will be an expert in the expanding field of hospital management, Casteen said.
"We are seeking a designated corporate head who will be an advanced specialist in management of complex hospitals and hospital systems," he said.
University officials still are deciding upon a search firm to hire for the process, although they have narrowed it down to three choices, Sandridge said.
The University's search committee will include physicians, nurses and other staff persons from the Medical Center.
Sandridge said the search firm and committee members should be announced shortly.
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