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Margaret Peyton will assume the role formally held by Lori Oliver, UW Medicine clinical business and regulatory affairs officer and associate vice president for Medical Affairs, University of Washington, effective April 18, 2020. Additionally, Peyton will have executive oversight of UW Medicine Compliance.

For more than 17 years, she served as assistant attorney general in the Washington state attorney general’s office and her last two assignments were team leadership positions in the Department of Health Division and the UW Division of Health Sciences. In 2003, she was hired as the first in-house general counsel to UW Physicians and Children’s University Medical Group. Later, that role was expanded to include legal services for UW Medical Center – Northwest and UW Neighborhood Clinics. In her new role, Peyton will continue to have executive oversight of UW Medicine Nonprofit Legal Services.

Q&A with Margaret Peyton

As a quick introduction, we asked Peyton a few questions about her life, career and goals.

Q: What does your role as clinical business and regulatory affairs officer entail? 

A: Our office is here to help!

I lead the office that supports projects that bridge multiple UW Medicine entities and departments. We help with complex projects — like the UW Medical Center – Northwest hospital integration and the creation of new ventures like Embright, our clinically integrated network with MultiCare — and provide support for mitigating regulatory and risk issues. I also lead the legal office for the two practice plans and UW Neighborhood Clinics and work closely with the attorney general’s office and outside legal counsel.

Q: What about your career might surprise people? 

A: In college I was a river guide on the lazy Yakima River. I certainly didn’t envision being a healthcare lawyer or clinical and business affairs officer. I find myself here as a result of good fortune and hard work. I’ve always believed that if you work hard, the work will speak for itself.

Q: Why UW Medicine/healthcare?

A: I’m working with smart, innovative, dedicated physicians, scientists, administrators and colleagues who are devoted to a mission that really speaks to my heart.

Q: What are we learning from our response to the pandemic?

A: I think we are learning that we can collaboratively innovate to be even more nimble, efficient and effective as a team for the good of our patients, UW Medicine and the community.

Q: What are your interests outside of work?  

A: As much as my two dogs will be eternally disappointed by their omission, my passions start with my 17-year-old daughter, followed by running and knitting. I know this is the developmental age when my daughter is looking for independence and I’m supposed to be anxious for her to leave the nest, but our time sheltering in place has drawn us even closer together.

I’m also a big fan of “Homeland,” although I can only take intense TV shows in small doses these days.

Q: Why are you excited about your new role as Clinical Business and Regulatory Affairs officer? 

A: UW Medicine, with its research, teaching and clinical work, is an exciting environment. I’ve always had such pride in being a part of UW Medicine, and our work in responding to the pandemic has really illustrated the strength of our commitment to improving the health of the public. You learn so much about yourself and your colleagues when you are challenged, and all of my reasons for choosing to work with UW Medicine have been reinforced by recent events.

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