Letters to Campus Community

New UMHS leader selected

 

March 2, 2009

It is my pleasure to announce the appointment of Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, M.D., as the University’s executive vice president for medical affairs and CEO of the U-M Health System, pending approval of the Board of Regents in March.

Dr. Pescovitz is a nationally recognized pediatric endocrinologist and researcher. She currently serves as executive associate dean for research affairs at Indiana University School of Medicine, where she leads basic and clinical research initiatives. She also is president and CEO of Riley Hospital for Children and interim vice president for research administration, overseeing the research infrastructure at IU’s eight campuses.

She succeeds Robert P. Kelch, M.D., who has served as our executive vice president for medical affairs since September 2003 and plns to retire later this year.

Dr. Pescovitz joins the University at a critical juncture for the Health System, as it positions itself to serve the region and nation in a time of rapidly evolving health care. The recent decision to purchase the former campus of Pfizer Inc. presents the University with tremendous options for growth and impact in scientific research. The research enterprise of our Health System is vital to this expansion, and Dr. Pescovitz is an exceptional choice for advancing our scholarship and discoveries.

I want to thank the search advisory committee, chaired by Provost Teresa A. Sullivan, for its commitment to identifying such a stellar candidate. To learn more about Dr. Pescovitz’s achievements and background, please visit here.

Dr. Pescovitz will begin her career at the University May 11. I hope you will join me in welcoming her to the U-M family.

Sincerely,

Mary Sue Coleman
President