KU News Release

Chancellor, Provost statements re: resignation of KU Hospital CEO

KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway and KU Provost Richard Lariviere released the following statements in response to news today of the departure of KU Hospital CEO and President Irene Cumming. She announced this afternoon that she is leaving to become president and CEO of the University HealthSystem Consortium, one of the nation’s leading academic medical organizations.

Statement from Chancellor Robert Hemenway. Hemenway serves as vice chairman of the KU Hospital Authority Board.

“Irene Cumming has done an excellent job as president and CEO of the University of Kansas Hospital Authority for the past eight years. She is a talented person, and talented people are always in demand. We wish her well in her new post.

“As vice chairman of the KU Hospital Authority, my focus will be on ensuring a continuity of strong, dedicated leadership at the hospital, so that we can continue to build a nationally recognized medical center at KU.”

Statement from Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Richard Lariviere. Lariviere also is on the KU Hospital Authority Board

“Irene Cumming’s legacy will be that she turned the KU Hospital around financially. I am new to the board, but I have served on corporate and public boards, and in my experience, it is not uncommon for a CEO who has turned about a venture to move on once that is achieved.

“The Board has a great deal of momentum at the moment. Our goal for a new agreement between KUH and KUMC is in sight and clearly achievable.”

Statement from Dr. Barbara Atkinson, executive vice chancellor for the KU Medical Center and executive dean of the medical school: http://www.kumc.edu/evc/statement.html

Learn more about the University of Kansas Medical Center's proposed affiliations with area hospitals: http://www.kumc.edu/evc/affiliations.html

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The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.