Leadership Bios

Robert P. Kelch, M.D., is the University's executive vice president for Medical Affairs, and chief executive officer of the Health System.

Dr. Kelch is responsible for the leadership and management of the Health System, which includes the Medical School, School of Nursing, Hospitals and Health Centers and the Michigan Health Corp.

The Medical School dean, Nursing School dean and the HHC executive director report to the EVPMA. The EVPMA reports to the University president. The Hospitals, Nursing School and Medical School collaborate in carrying out the Health System's mission of excellence in teaching, research and patient care.

For more on Dr. Kelch, visit the EVPMA Web site.

Douglas L. Strong, M.B.A., is the chief executive officer of the U-M Hospitals and Health Centers. Strong joined the Health System in 1998 as associate vice president for Health System Finance and Strategy. In 2002 he was named interim Chief Financial Officer, and assumed the post permanently in 2004. In October 2005 he was named interim chief executive officer of the University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers, and in August 2006 he assumed the post on a permanent basis.

Strong has played an integral role in sustaining the robust financial health of the institution and as CEO he will strengthen the efforts that have brought the University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers to its current position as a high-quality, safe, financially sound and highly ranked institution.

For more, visit the CEO's Web site.

James O. Woolliscroft, M.D., was appointed dean of the U-M Medical School July 1, 2007. Previously, he served as the executive associate dean of the Medical School from 1999 and as Interim Dean beginning Aug. 1, 2006 until his appointment as dean.  

Woolliscroft is an internationally recognized medical educator. He has played major roles in medical student, resident and fellow education at the University of Michigan. Dean Woolliscroft was selected as the first Josiah Macy, Jr. Professor of Medical Education, an endowed professorship awarded through a national competition in 1996. In January 2001, he received a second endowed professorship, the Lyle C. Roll Professor of Medicine recognizing his work in enhancing the practice of medicine through education.

For more on Dean Woolliscroft, visit the Dean's Web site.

Kathleen Potempa, D.N.Sc, R.N., F.A.A.N., is a nationally recognized contributor to nursing education. She was appointed dean and professor at the University of Michigan School of Nursing Oct. 1, 2006.

Before coming to the University of Michigan, Potempa had been Dean of the School of Nursing at Oregon Health and Science University since 1996 and was appointed vice president and dean in September 2002. The latter title is in recognition of her expanding responsibilities for the research, practice and educational mission on all four campuses in the state; for leadership in the OHSU health system including oversight of the professional development of nursing in the OHSU health system, and the responsibility for all nursing educational outreach programs in the state. 

Potempa has had 25 years of experience in nursing education and administration. Prior to joining OHSU, she was executive associate dean and interim dean of the University of Illinois College of Nursing. 

For more about Dean Potempa, visit her Web site.