SUBJECT:

UCSD Director of Hospitals and Clinics Michael R. Stringer Accepts New Position

Michael R. Stringer, director of hospitals and clinics at UCSD,
has announced that he is moving to a new position with the University
of California Office of the President, effective May 1. He will
report to Vice President for Clinical Services Development William
Gurtner, working on a number of special projects involving all five of
the UC health sciences campuses.
"One of the hallmarks of Mike's leadership during his many years at
UCSD has been his deep commitment to the health of the San Diego
community," said UCSD Chancellor Marjorie Caserio. "During his
distinguished career, Mike Stringer has played a leading role in
transforming the former County hospital into the premier academic
medical center that it is today. We will continue to benefit from his
vision and experience in his new role with the UC system."
"Over the years that we have worked together, I have developed a
great respect for Mike Stringer as an administrator, and for his
dedication to the programs and institution he has helped build," said
John F. Alksne, M.D., Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences at UCSD.
"He has championed many important services that benefit all San
Diegans."
Stringer played a major role in the development of many UCSD
Medical Center specialty and critical care programs such as the
Regional Burn Center, Infant Special Care Center and comprehensive
organ transplant program, as well as regional services such as the
Life Flight helicopter service and the Poison Information Center. He
also was instrumental in obtaining the Medical Center's Level 1 Trauma
Center designation.
In his new role, Stringer will assist the Vice President in a
number of special projects, focusing on the serious indigent care
issues facing the UC hospitals, developing partnerships between the
university and the private sector to advance community health, and
exploring opportunities for joint purchasing on behalf of the system.
In addition to UCSD, the University of California has health sciences
campuses at UC Irvine, UCLA, UC Davis and UC San Francisco.
"I am very proud of the hospitals and health care system that we
have developed, and feel privileged to have worked with the many
talented individuals who have come together through UCSD's health
sciences enterprise," said Stringer. "Although our system faces many
challenges, I am confident that UCSD will continue to fulfill its
vital role in our community, based on its strong foundation of
excellence, and the high quality of its physicians, staff and
programs. Many positive steps are being taken to meet the pressing
demand for a restructured, integrated system of physician practices
and hospitals. I look forward to making a contribution to UCSD's
future as I turn my attention toward our UC academic health care
system."
Stringer is recognized as being among the first nationally to
understand the need for academic health centers to expand their
clinical activities beyond the traditional hospital settings. Through
his efforts, the UCSD Healthcare Network has been created as a
partnership between the university and several community-based
physician practices and hospitals working together as a county-wide
health care system.
"Each one of our medical campuses is undergoing significant change
to adapt to the continuously evolving health care industry," said
Gurtner. "We are fortunate to have someone with Mike Stringer's
background, experience and proven success in his field to assist us
with some of the projects we are undertaking to help maintain the
excellence of the University of California's clinical programs."
Alksne said that while recruitment is under way for a new chief
administrator for the hospitals, an interim director will be named.
A San Diegan most of his life, Stringer began his career at UCSD
in 1967 in a part-time capacity while a student. Since earning
undergraduate and graduate degrees at San Diego State University,
Stringer has held several positions at UCSD Medical Center, and has
been director since 1984. He is responsible for management of UCSD
Medical Center--Hillcrest, The John M. and Sally B. Thornton Hospital
in La Jolla, and UCSD's hospital-based ambulatory care and ancillary
services.

Robert C. Dynes Chancellor