Michigan Medicine CEO plans to retire, and more | MED MOVES

Dr. Marschall S. Runge, executive vice president for medical affairs and chief executive officer of Michigan Medicine, has announced plans to retire.

Dr. Marschall S. Runge

Runge says he will step down when his contract expires on June 30, 2025. He has served as CEO of Michigan Medicine since March 2015. He’s also been dean of the University of Michigan Medical School since January 2016, and he plans to continue working as a professor after he steps down from his leadership posts.

“It has been an honor to work with, and on behalf of, our patients, faculty, staff, learners and supporters,” Runge said in a statement. “Our teams give their all, every day, to make Michigan Medicine the amazing institution it is.

“We have evolved as an increasingly high-functioning, coordinated, innovative and inclusive organization that is one of the most respected academic medical centers in the world,” Runge added. “This would not have been possible without the concerted efforts of our entire community.”

Santa Ono, president of the University of Michigan, said Runge has been a “visionary leader” who has elevated the system.

“He helped guide the health system through a number of challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, during which Michigan Medicine served as a statewide resource for the most critical patients,” Ono wrote in a message to the university. “As he steps down, he most certainly leaves a legacy of strengthening our mission and building upon Michigan Medicine’s strong foundation.”

Michigan Medicine acquired two health systems during his tenure: U-M Health-West in Grand Rapids and U-M Health-Sparrow in the Lansing area. Donations to Michigan Medicine more than doubled and the organization also secured more funding from the National Institutes of Health, the system said.

Fernando Ferrer

RWJBarnabas Health names chief pediatric officer

Fernando (Ferd) Ferrer, MD, has been named the chief pediatric officer of RWBBarnabas Health in New Jersey.

Ferrer will develop pediatric care standards for the entire health system.

Mark E. Manigan, president and chief executive officer for RWJBarnabas Health, touted Ferrer’s qualifications for the position.

“As a seasoned leader in children’s health administration, strategy and development with national following in his specialty of pediatric urology, Dr. Ferrer will provide the clinical leadership essential to establish the pediatric care standards and care model for RWJBarnabas Health,” Manigan said in a statement.

Ferrer previously served as senior vice president of children’s services for the Mount Sinai Health System and chief operating officer of Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital in New York. He was also professor in the department of urology and pediatrics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

He has also received funding from the National Institutes of Health of research in children’s cancer and renal injury.

He also served in the United States Navy as a diving medical officer, participating in Operation Desert Storm.

Yeman Collier

UT Health San Antonio CIO is departing, interim named

Yeman Collier, vice president and chief information officer of UT Health San Antonio, is leaving the system after 12 years.

Collier is leaving UT Health San Antonio to join the University of Chicago Medicine as the system’s chief information officer.

Andrea Marks, senior executive vice president and chief operating officer of UT Health San Antonio, said Collier has played a key role in modernizing the system’s technology.

“He has been a valued partner to me and many leaders across UT Health San Antonio and will be greatly missed,” Marks said in a message to the system. “We wish him the very best as he embarks on this new adventure.”

Michael Schnabel, MBA, will serve as the interim vice president and chief information officer of UT Health San Antonio. He serves as the chief information security officer and assistant vice president of information security and operations at UT Health San Antonio.

Schnabel joined UT Health San Antonio in 2013 from City of Hope National Medical Center, where he served as the information security officer.

“Michael has been a trusted and reliable partner across our research, academic and health care missions for more than a decade,” Marks said in a statement.

Jeffrey B. Matthews, MD

University of Chicago Health System names surgeon-in-chief

Jeffrey B. Matthews, MD, has been appointed surgeon-in-chief for the University of Chicago Health System.

Matthews took the new role on July 1. He will serve as the top physician leader overseeing surgical and perioperative care across UChicago Medicine.

A gastrointestinal surgeon, Matthews has served as chair of the department of surgery since 2006, and he will continue to hold that position.

As chair of the surgery department, Matthews has doubled the volume of transplants over the past five years, UChicago said in a news release. He also nearly doubled the number of surgical faculty and he has helped expand the system’s research portfolio.

Tom Jackiewicz, president of the University of Chicago Health System, offered praise for Matthews.

"The selection of a decorated faculty leader into this system-wide position reinforces the health system's commitment to bringing academic medicine to an increasing number of communities and ensuring the highest quality of care to patients," Jackiewicz said in a statement.