I write to let you know that Ruth Mahan is retiring from UW Medicine with her last day in the office on April 30, 2024. Ruth has worked at UW Medicine since 1997 and has been part of the broader UW community since 1981. She was appointed as Chief Business Officer, UW Medicine and Vice President for Medical Affairs, University of Washington in 2011, Chief of Staff in 2021, and previously served as the School of Medicine’s Vice Dean for Administration and Finance. Her strategic leadership in financial management and operations, business transactions, government relations, real estate and facilities, regulatory compliance and legal affairs has been invaluable in support of UW Medicine over the past 27 years. Ruth is a trusted colleague and advisor who has often worked behind the scenes in support of UW Medicine’s success and will be missed.
With Ruth’s retirement, I want to let you know of further restructuring of our UW Medicine leadership team and responsibilities as we will not be filling the UW Medicine Chief Business Officer (CBO) position. Prior to my serving as interim CEO, UW Medicine, Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs and Dean of the School of Medicine, University of Washington (CEO/EVPMA/Dean), I also served as Executive Vice Dean for Clinical Affairs (EVDCA), a position that has not been filled. We will be integrating the School functions previously under the CBO with the EVDCA role with expanded responsibilities as we launch a national search for an Executive Vice Dean, School of Medicine and Senior Vice President for Medical Affairs, University of Washington (EVD/SVPMA).
The EVD/SVPMA reports to the CEO/EVPMA/Dean and is an integral member of the senior leadership team of UW Medicine providing senior executive leadership for the School of Medicine facilitating the coordination of activities across the School’s classroom, research, and clinical learning environments. The EVD/SVPMA will provide guidance and oversight for the Vice Deans for Academic, Rural, and Regional Affairs; Administration and Finance; Equity, Diversity and Inclusion; Faculty Affairs; Graduate Medical Education, and Research and Graduate Education while partnering with the Department Chairs, Vice Presidents for Medical Affairs, and UW Medicine executive leaders. The EVD/SVPMA will partner with the President, UW Medicine Hospitals & Clinics to support the integration of the School of Medicine and the clinically integrated organizations of UW Medicine, serving as the liaison between our clinical programs, biomedical research activities and education and training programs. The Department Chairs will continue to report to the CEO/EVPMA/Dean while working closely with the EVD/SVPMA.
Second, I am delighted to share that Margaret Peyton has agreed to serve as Chief of Staff, UW Medicine, as of March 1, 2024. The Chief of Staff is accountable directly to the CEO/EVPMA/Dean for the executive management of UW Medicine business and regulatory affairs, including associated legal affairs, regulatory policies and procedures, business affiliations and alliances and the coordination of initiatives of the Office of the CEO/EVPMA/Dean. The Chief of Staff serves as the strategic facilitator and advisor to the CEO/EVPMA/Dean while coordinating activities across the offices of the Vice Presidents for Medical Affairs and serving as a liaison with other UW offices and key university leaders, including the UW Executive Office.
Third, Ian Goodhew will continue to serve as Senior Director of External Affairs and Associate Vice President now reporting directly to my role as CEO/EVPMA/Dean. The Senior Director of External Affairs leads our federal, state, and county government relations and policy analysis in coordination with the UW Office of External Affairs, which is critical given our role across the WWAMI region.
Margaret and Ian will partner to serve as senior leaders and advisors representing the Office of the CEO/EVPMA/Dean while leading their respective teams focused on compliance, business and regulatory affairs, legal affairs, and external affairs.
Finally, Brad Simmons will also serve as a Senior Vice President for Medical Affairs as President, UW Medicine Hospitals & Clinics (PH&C/SVPMA) recognizing the important partnership with the EVD/SVPMA in integrating our clinical, equity, research, education and well-being activities across the School of Medicine and our clinical environments.
Sincerely,
Timothy H. Dellit, MD
Chief Executive Officer, UW Medicine
Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs and
Paul G. Ramsey Endowed Dean of the School of Medicine,
University of Washington
