September 27, 2002

"The MGH has benefited enormously from Kate's intelligence and dedication – and her wonderful sense of humor."
- James J. Mongan, MD

Temporary changes announced in MGH administration

After 14 years at the MGH, Kathleen E. Walsh, senior vice president for MGH Medicine and Cancer Care Services, will be leaving the hospital at the end of this month to join Novartis Pharma AG. She will serve as chief operating officer of the Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research, the company's new research facility located in Cambridge. With her departure, some members of the MGH senior leadership team will expand their responsibilities to cover Walsh's areas of responsibility until a successor is named.

Beginning Oct. 1, Britain Nicholson, MD, senior vice president and chief medical officer for the MGH, will cover the Department of Medicine. The Cancer Center will be covered by Ann Prestipino, senior vice president for Surgical Services, Anesthesia and the Cardiac Program. In that role, she will serve as the MGH liaison to Dana-Farber/Partners CancerCare. Jean Elrick, MD, senior vice president for Administration, will take on the administrative responsibility for Radiation Oncology. Jeanette Ives Erickson, RN, MS, senior vice president for Patient Care Services and chief nurse, will cover the MGH Vincent Obstetrics and Gynecology Service. Joan Sapir, vice president for Neurosciences and Pediatrics, will be responsible for the administrative duties for Dermatology and the Center for Integration of Medicine and Innovative Technology (CIMIT).

"Kate has been an effective leader at the MGH with a remarkable ability to navigate sensitive issues fairly and objectively and to build consensus when necessary. The MGH has benefited enormously from her intelligence and dedication – and her wonderful sense of humor," says James J. Mongan, MD, president of the MGH. "During her tenure, she has been a wonderful colleague and mentor for so many at the MGH. We will miss her greatly."

Peter Slavin, MD, who will assume the position of president of the MGH in January 2003, will be reviewing the organization of the hospital's executive management structure before he begins the search for a permanent replacement for Walsh.