As U-M Health looks to the future, it is critically important that a leadership structure is in place to support growth, new partnerships and affiliations, and expanded services.

With that in mind, U-M Health President David Miller, M.D., announced several key roles on Thursday.

Paul Lee, M.D., J.D., has been selected as the permanent executive director for the U-M Medical Group, and the senior associate dean for clinical affairs in the U-M Medical School, effective January 2023. This role, in conjunction with the chief operations integration officer and the chief nurse executive, will provide the enterprise triad leadership to oversee all activities within U-M Health.

Specifically, Lee will have oversight of the structure and deployment of the physician and provider resources to meet the needs of all segments of the health system. He will collaborate closely with clinical department chairs, CDAs, and operational leaders across the missions of Michigan Medicine to effectively manage medical group resources and facilitate the work of various teams. A national search for a new chair for the Department of Ophthalmology will commence in 2023.

Additionally, Tony Denton, J.D., M.H.A., senior vice president and chief ​operating ​officer, will transition to a new role as ​senior vice president and chief environmental, social and governance officer, effective February 2023. In this capacity, Denton will guide the organization’s ​internal and ​environmental sustainability​ ​and carbon neutrality efforts,​ ​facilitate a collaborative model to improve health equity through enhanced community presence, ​social impact and social justice initiatives, and​ lead assessments to inform appropriate modification of governance models across U-M Health.

Climate management/sustainability and being actively engaged around socioeconomic issues and support are key initiatives of the university. Denton will work closely with key stakeholders to establish this new office​, building upon successful efforts and developing new​ team-based initiatives and projects​ which align with the priorities of Belonging and Inclusion, Access, Safety and Quality, and Experience. Denton will continue as ​U-M Health's senior executive for community health services and facilities planning and operations.

Finally, Dana Habers, M.P.H., currently the interim chief operating officer for pharmacy, will serve permanently in that role and assume expanded responsibilities as the new chief innovations officer, effective January 2023. Habers has already been instrumental in expanding specialty pharmacy services through rapid strategic growth and partnerships. In this position, she will be responsible for driving new growth opportunities including identifying, developing and launching new products, services and business models. She will collaborate with clinical department chairs, the Strategy Office and other leaders to ensure alignment with strategic priorities.

“I am very pleased that we have been able to achieve the vision laid out earlier in the year for a more integrated, high-functioning organizational structure ​for U-M Health by expanding roles of existing team members, in addition to hiring one new leader, Charlie Reuland as chief operations integration officer,” said Miller.

All the new roles will report to Miller’s office.