University of Virginia Health System

HOWELL APPOINTS CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER FOR UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA HEALTH SYSTEM

Patricia L. Cluff, vice president of strategic marketing at Premier, Inc. in Oak Brook, Ill., has been named Chief Marketing Officer for the University of Virginia Health System. The appointment, announced by R. Edward Howell, vice president and chief executive officer of the U.Va. Medical Center, is effective Nov. 1, 2002.

Cluff, who will have a collaborative reporting relationship to Howell and Dr. Arthur Garson, vice president and dean of the School of Medicine, will be responsible for market research and development, public relations and community outreach, and new clinical program and service development.

Ms. Cluff's strong background in market research and in identifying customer needs and expectations will be a tremendous asset in establishing a marketing presence for the Health System as one of the leading academic medical centers in the country, Howell said.

Cluff has held senior marketing positions at Premier, Inc., University of Kentucky Hospital, the University of North Carolina Hospitals and Shands Hospital at the University of Florida. She received her bachelor's degree from Stephens College, Columbia, MO and a master's degree in counseling education from the University of Florida at Gainesville.

With the new leadership team and all the impressive people who work here, it is a real privilege to be joining the Health System, Cluff said. The physicians and staff who are committed to providing quality care, training medical students and conducting important medical research make the Health System a valuable resource, not only for the community and region, but for the state and nation.

September 20, 2002