Williamson Appointed Interim Executive Vice Chancellor of Health Affairs

December 4th, 2015

COLUMBIA, Mo. ­— University of Missouri Interim Chancellor Hank Foley announced today that he has appointed Dr. Hal Williamson as Interim Executive Vice Chancellor of Health Affairs. Williamson, who formerly served in this permanent position prior to retiring in June 2015, will serve in the interim role beginning Dec. 14.

“I’m extremely pleased that Dr. Williamson has agreed to return to the university in an interim capacity to once again serve in this important role,” Foley said. “His previous work included leading MU Health during a time of impressive growth and strategic alignment of its clinical programs. The need for this leadership position is apparent as health care continues to change and evolve throughout Missouri.”

The executive vice chancellor of health affairs will oversee the MU health system, including the schools of Health Professions, Medicine and Nursing, as well as MU Health Care’s five hospitals and more than 50 outpatient clinics. He will share oversight of the three schools with Provost Garnett Stokes.

“I’m delighted to be returning to the university,” Williamson said. “The great faculty and staff throughout the health system and I still have much work to do to realize our full potential as we improve lives through research, preparing the next generation of health professionals, and direct patient care.”

During Williamson’s previous leadership, the Missouri Psychiatric Center, Missouri Orthopaedic Center and MU’s Women’s and Children’s Hospital opened; University Hospital expanded its inpatient facility; and a new clinical and research facility for the MU Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders opened. Additionally, Ellis Fischel Cancer Center became the first academic medical center to join the MD Anderson Cancer Network, and MU Health Care opened the Mizzou Quick Care clinics and the South Providence Medical Park outpatient facility. Throughout this period, MU Health Care consistently posted a positive bottom line that has enabled it to provide more than $30 million annually in charity and uncompensated care, as well as invest in advanced technology and facilities and support our academic missions.

Research programs also experienced growth during Williamson’s tenure, including the opening of the Tiger Institute for Health Innovation; a $6.8 million grant to support the transition to electronic health records; a $13.3 million grant to enhance primary care through advanced health information technology, evidence-based treatment planning, and a specialized workforce to coordinate care for both patients and the health care team.