I am delighted to share that earlier today, the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees ratified the decision by the UHealth Board of Directors to appoint Joe Echevarria as Chief Executive Officer of UHealth and Executive Vice President for Health Affairs of the University. His appointment is effective immediately.
Having held the CEO role in an interim capacity during one of the most challenging periods in our history, Joe’s sound judgment and able stewardship of the Joint Operations Leadership Team (JOLT)—paired with the talent, sacrifice, and dedication of UHealth professionals at every level of the organization—have allowed our academic health system to successfully navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.
Even as clinical teams have focused on caring for COVID patients, building and operationalizing testing and vaccination sites, and linking research to prevention and treatment, UHealth was able to resume non-COVID patient care. Our commitment to effectively running two hospital operations simultaneously—one to address the demands of a pandemic, another to ensure the long-term continuity of our service mission—has led to exceptional financial performance.
The pandemic has accelerated fundamental shifts in health care delivery. As UHealth faces external changes, internal stability is essential. We must not merely adapt to change; we must lead through it.
Joe’s leadership acumen and financial expertise are precisely what the health system needs at this point in its trajectory. During his time as interim CEO, Joe has recruited several key leaders to UHealth and developed transformational plans to enhance crucial business functions in support of our clinical, education, and research missions.
Joe has also elevated the understanding of the critical role that the University of Miami Health System must play in partnership with Jackson Health System to advance health equity in our community, something that has been underscored by the pandemic. He is committed to ensuring that the UHealth/Jackson partnership will continue to make the reduction of health disparities a priority through both access and outreach.
As a University of Miami alumnus and previous member of the Board of Trustees for seven years, Joe exemplifies what it means to be a true ’Cane. Joe graduated from the Miami Herbert Business School, is a certified public accountant who joined Deloitte, LLP in 1978 and went on to become chief executive officer of the multinational professional services company. He retired in 2014 and holds positions on the boards of several companies and organizations. Joe’s commitment to public service is evident in his volunteer work and his focus on strengthening our health system.
I am confident that with Joe’s experience and determination, the health enterprise will continue to thrive, delivering leading-edge patient care, conducting groundbreaking research, and preparing the next generation of physicians for a dynamic future. Please join me in congratulating Joe. |
