Richard J. Gannotta to step down as CEO of UCI Health
National search to be conducted for replacement
Irvine, Calif., Aug. 8, 2019 — Richard J. Gannotta, D.H.A., will be stepping down as CEO of the University of California, Irvine Health System to pursue new opportunities.
A seasoned healthcare executive, Gannotta oversees Orange County’s only academic medical center and all clinical and patient-serving operations. He will remain in his role until Sept. 30, and a national search will be conducted for his replacement.
“Rick has made valuable contributions to the UCI Health System from the moment he arrived two and a half years ago,” said Chancellor Howard Gillman. “While I will miss our partnership and frequent interactions, I know he is pursuing an opportunity too good to pass up. I am extremely happy for him and wish him every success in his next chapter.”
Gannotta will be joining Irvine-based Masimo as its chief healthcare administrative officer. Masimo is a global medical technology company that develops and produces a wide array of industry-leading monitoring technologies, including innovative measurements, sensors, patient monitors and automation solutions.
UCI Medical Center has been listed among “America’s Best Hospitals” by U.S. News & World Report for 19 consecutive years, and it was named one of California’s 10 best hospitals in U.S. News & World Report rankings this month.
“We want to thank Rick for helping establish UCI Health as one of the premier healthcare systems in Southern California,” said Dr. Steven Goldstein, vice chancellor for health affairs. “Under his tenure, the health system’s patient services, quality and safety metrics, and financial results have improved. We will miss his warm and on-the-move leadership style, with his frequent participation in hospital rounds, staff engagement events and impromptu volleyball games.”
UCI Health expects to name an interim CEO before Gannotta’s departure.
About UCI Health: UCI Health comprises the clinical enterprise of the University of California, Irvine. Patients can access its physicians at offices throughout Orange County and at its main campus, UCI Medical Center in Orange, California. The 417-bed acute care hospital provides tertiary and quaternary care, ambulatory and specialty medical clinics, and behavioral health and rehabilitation services. U.S. News & World Report has listed it among “America’s Best Hospitals” for 19 consecutive years. UCI Medical Center features Orange County’s only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, high-risk perinatal/neonatal program, Level I trauma center and Level II pediatric trauma center, and it’s the primary teaching hospital for the UCI School of Medicine. UCI Health serves a region of more than 3 million people in Orange County, western Riverside County and southeast Los Angeles County. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
About the University of California, Irvine: Founded in 1965, UCI is the youngest member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. The campus has produced three Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UCI has more than 36,000 students and offers 222 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $5 billion annually to the local economy. For more on UCI, visit www.uci.edu.
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