Kimberly Hunter has been named interim CEO of UI Hospitals & Clinics starting March 1, following the departure of current CEO Suresh Gunasekaran.
Currently serving as chief nurse executive, Ms. Hunter has more than 30 years of health care management experience. She spent almost 20 of those years working at Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic.
“It’s an honor to have the opportunity to lead UI Hospitals & Clinics through this interim period while also remaining rooted in nursing,” she said in a statement. “I’m fortunate to have outstanding and supportive hospital and nursing leadership teams to continue our patient care mission and stay focused on steady progress of our shared goals.”
“Kim has shown outstanding leadership since joining the senior hospital management team and will do well to continue our patient care mission, COVID-19 response, and clinical and growth initiatives,” said UI Health Care Vice President for Medical Affairs Brooks Jackson.
Mr. Gunasekaran will continue to lead UIHC through his departure at the end of February, working closely with Ms. Hunter to ensure a smooth transition. He will be joining the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Health in the same role.
After joining UI Health Care in November 2018, Mr. Gunasekaran worked closely with UI Health Care leaders to push the organization’s mission to expand its research, education and patient care reach. He is also credited in helping guide UI Health Care through the COVID-19 crisis.
“It’s been an honor and a privilege to work at the University of Iowa which is a really collaborative, special place that is valued by the state and the community,” he said during a news briefing Jan. 18. “I’m forever grateful I had the opportunity to be part of the University of Iowa Health Care.”
Dr. Jackson expects to announce the search chair and committee that will commence a national search for the permanent CEO position soon.
The interim CEO announcement comes on the heels of other major leadership changes in the UI Health Care landscape.
Emily Blomberg was named COO for UI Hospitals & Clinics on Jan. 14. She will oversee the management of patient care operations, ancillary services and related support services, according to a press release.
Last December, Mark Henrichs was named CFO for UI Health Care following a national search. He served in the same role on an interim basis since last August.
