Indiana University Health, a 17-hospital system based in Indianapolis, has announced one leader's plan for retirement, and another leader's promotion.
Here are 14 things to know about the leaders.
Daniel F. Evans Jr., president and CEO of IU Health, plans to retire. Mr. Evans will relinquish his role as president but will continue to serve as the statewide health system's CEO until May 1, 2016.
1. In his 13 years as IU Health's president and CEO, Mr. Evans has overseen the expansion of the IU Health system from three hospitals in downtown Indianapolis to a unified statewide health system of nearly 20 hospitals and health centers that treat more than 2.5 million patients a year.
2. During his tenure, IU Health has consistently been included in the U.S. News & World Report's annual "Best Hospital" rankings, which also recognizes IU Health as the No. 1 hospital in Indiana.
3. Other milestones during his tenure include the opening of the IU Health Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, the IU Health Neuroscience Center and the Riley Hospital for Children Simon Family Tower at IU Health, all in Indianapolis.
4. Mr. Evans has been an enthusiastic proponent of the recently announced plan for a regional academic health campus in Bloomington, Ind., and helped lead the development of the Strategic Research Initiative, a five-year, $150 million collaboration between IU Health and IU School of Medicine that was created to advance research and produce innovative treatments for patients with cancer, cardiovascular disease and neurological disorders.
5. Mr. Evans is a well-known presence in both the federal and the state public policy communities as an advocate for health and wellness programs and high-quality, accessible healthcare. He has been deeply involved in numerous legislative healthcare matters and advocated for the renewal of the Healthy Indiana Plan, a state-sponsored health insurance program. He also pushed for continued government funding of the Graduate Medical Education program.
6. More recently, Mr. Evans announced a $1 billion investment in a new adult academic health center in downtown Indianapolis, which will serve as the system's principal referral center for patients with severe illnesses and complex cases, serving as a major part of IU Health’s statewide organized system of care.
7. Throughout his tenure, Mr. Evans has also been faithful to IU Health's relationship with the United Methodist Church and facilitated the addition of United Methodist leaders to hospital boards throughout the system.
8. Michael A. McRobbie, PhD, president of Indiana University, expressed gratitude for all Mr. Evans has done for the health system. "Under Dan's remarkable tenure as CEO, IU Health has evolved into one of the finest hospital systems in the country and one that is steadfastly devoted to providing Indiana residents the highest possible standard of care. The deep partnership between Indiana University and IU Health is vital to both institutions — as well as to the state of Indiana — and Dan's determined leadership and commitment to creating a world-class academic health enterprise has been critical to our combined success," he said in a news release.
As part of the succession plan, current IU Health executive vice president and COO Dennis M. Murphy will be promoted to president of the organization, effective immediately, and take over as CEO on May 1, 2016. Mr. Murphy will continue to serve as COO until a successor is named.
9. In a statement, Mr. Evans said IU Health sought out Mr. Murphy "because of the breadth and depth of his experience, his track record of innovation and success, and his proven leadership skills." He added, "I've grown even more deeply impressed with him as we've worked side-by-side for the past two years. We are indeed fortunate to have a nationally recognized leader like Dennis to lead IU Health into the future."
10. Mr. Murphy joined IU Health in 2013 as its executive vice president and COO.
11. Since joining IU Health, he has been responsible for leading the design of the system's new organizational structure and process improvement efforts that will enable the system to fulfill its mission.
12, At IU Health, he's also played a key role in the expansion of IU Health Plans and its application of the population health model of care. In addition, Mr. Murphy has been working closely with IU School of Medicine Dean Jay Hess, MD, PhD, to enhance alignment between the two institutions for the benefit of patients.
13. Prior to IU Health, Mr. Murphy served as executive vice president of Northwestern Memorial HealthCare in Chicago and COO of Northwestern Memorial Hospital. In that role, he led the implementation of key systemwide initiatives and worked extensively across its medical school, practice plan and affiliated private physicians to ensure the long-term development of key clinical, research and education programs. He was responsible for the opening of a 328-bed, $507 million replacement women's hospital.
14. Previously, Mr. Murphy held leadership positions at several of the top hospitals and academic health systems in the U.S., including the University of Chicago Medicine and a 10-year stint at Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins Hospital.
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