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Committee begins search for new campus health leader

October 24, 2017
Photo: Nurse administering vaccination in student's arm

A student receives an influenza vaccination from a University Health Services nurse in December 2009. Photo: Bryce Richter

The University of Wisconsin–Madison has launched a search for a new executive director of University Health Services.

A 15-member committee of faculty, staff and students will conduct the search and recommend finalists to Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Laurent Heller. Linda Scott, dean of the School of Nursing, is serving as chair of the search and screen committee.

Applications for the position are due Thursday, Nov. 30, to ensure consideration by the committee. The anticipated start date for the successful candidate is the start of the spring semester.

The search firm Isaacson, Miller is assisting with the search process.

The new UHS executive director, who also will serve as the university’s chief health officer, will succeed Sarah Van Orman, who left UW–Madison in June for a position as associate vice provost for student affairs and chief student health officer at the University of Southern California. Arnold Jennerman is serving as interim executive director, and Bill Kinsey is interim chief health officer.

Heller says preferred candidates will have strong backgrounds in leading comprehensive health organizations and leadership experience in student health, public health or clinical settings.

“This position is crucial to the university’s success,” he says. “University Health Services plays a major role in ensuring the health and safety of our campus community and has consistently been ranked as one of the best college health services in the country.”

The UHS executive director and chief health officer provides leadership and strategic vision for UHS and overall direction, design and implementation of UHS programs, policies and initiatives. The chief health officer also leads the development of university policies and programs that protect and promote the health of members of the university community.

In addition to Dean Scott, members of the search and screen committee include student Angela Samosorn; Pamela Oliver, professor of sociology; Erik Jaeke, associate director of programs, Recreational Sports; Valerie Peterson, special assistant to the executive director, University Health Services; Gwen McIntosh, associate professor/assistant dean, Department of Pediatrics; Nasia Safdar, associate professor, Department of Medicine; Peter Shult, senior scientist, Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene; Nancy Ranum, director of quality and informatics, University Health Services; Pam Kostle, industrial hygienist, University Health Services; Susan Zahner, associate dean, School of Nursing; Gabe Javier, assistant dean, Division of Student Life; Kathy Kruse, assistant dean, Division of Student Life; Mark Guthier, director of the Wisconsin Union; and John Horn, director of Recreational Sports.

A complete position description is available online.

Nominations, applications and general inquiries