After more than two years, the search for a new chief executive officer for UConn Health could end next month.
“The search process is in its final stages and at this point we expect to announce a new CEO in early April,” said Lauren Woods, a spokeswoman for UConn Health.
UConn Health has been searching for a new CEO since Dr. Andrew Agwunobi resigned his dual roles as interim president of the University of Connecticut and CEO of UConn Health in February 2022. He left to accept a job with health insurance company Humana.
Dr. Bruce Liang, dean of the UConn School of Medicine, has been serving as interim CEO of UConn Health since Agwunobi’s departure. Radenka Maric was named the university’s 17th president in September 2022.
According to minutes from the December UConn Health board of directors meeting, Maric told the board that CEO candidates would be presented by a search firm “in the coming weeks,” and that interviews were “happening in January.”
Woods did not respond to questions about the number of candidates for the position nor their identities. UConn has hired Diversified Search Group, a Philadelphia based executive search firm, to conduct the search.
On its website, Diversified Search Group has posted a “position description” for the job, which is listed as both executive vice president for health affairs and CEO.
“The University of Connecticut is seeking an inspiring, dynamic, strategic, innovative, and transformational leader,” the listing states. “The new CEO will need to be a forward-looking leader who will bring new ideas for expanding services and sites of care for Connecticut residents. He/she will be responsible for providing strategic leadership and overall management of the academic health center,” which consists of UConn John Dempsey Hospital, the University Medical Group, UConn School of Medicine, UConn School of Dental Medicine, dental clinics, and a research enterprise.
Qualifications listed for the position include:
- A master’s degree in business administration “or closely related area” preferred.
- MD degree preferred.
- 10 years of leadership-level professional experience in a healthcare/educational setting; demonstrated experience in strategic planning, program planning and quality management.
- Prior experience in senior administration of a health system that includes a hospital and multispecialty physician groups.
- Demonstrated experience in transforming organizations.
- Experience demonstrating effective/proactive employee relations philosophy required.
- Experience leading staff represented by organized labor preferred.
- Membership in American College of Healthcare Executives preferred.
The CEO search nears its conclusion as both the University of Connecticut and UConn Health seek additional funding from the state. Liang, who also serves as EVP for health affairs at UConn Health and as dean of the UConn School of Medicine, presented testimony on Feb. 20 to the state legislature’s Appropriations Committee about the health system’s financial situation.
He stated that the proposed state budget for fiscal 2025 reduces the appropriation for UConn Health by $45.3 million from the previous fiscal year.
“During this session of the General Assembly, we are seeking an additional $16.9 million,” he said.
He added, “We have internal revenue gains and spending reductions already in place for FY25 but need this additional support from the state to balance the budget.”
