UNC Health Care CEO and dean of the UNC School of Medicine Bill Roper announced Thursday he plans to step down in May 2019.

Roper was selected to serve as dean of the Medical School in 2004 after taking over as the dean of the School of Public Health in 1997.

“It has been a high honor to serve with so many talented and committed people. I know that our team is well equipped to continue taking on the challenges of a rapidly evolving medical and health care landscape,” Roper said in a release. “Our mission, our patients and our providers are in good hands.”

UNC Health Care has expanded under Roper’s leadership to “more than a dozen hospitals, more than 30,000 employees and nearly $5 billion in annual revenue,” according to the university.

“Dr. Roper has championed a broad range of innovative teaching, treatment and patient-care initiatives that have expanded and rippled across our state to provide patients with quality, accessible and affordable health care,” Chancellor Carol L. Folt said in a release announcing Roper’s intentions. “Bill has provided a remarkable record of leadership, always with the people of North Carolina in his heart and on his mind.”

Roper recently led efforts to form a combined health care system with Atrium Health – formerly known as Carolinas HealthCare – which would have formed one of the largest hospital systems in the country. Those talks broke down earlier this year after months of secretive and, at times, frustrating negotiations.

The two sides announced in August 2017 the intention to form a new combined entity. It appeared the talks broke down over who would have ultimate control over the operation of the new organization.

The negotiations drew scrutiny from statewide officials, including North Carolina’s attorney general, and led to the state treasurer requesting a $1 billion performance guarantee.

In recent years, UNC Health Care and the medical school have worked on getting more medical service into more rural areas across North Carolina.

Roper was praised by chair of the UNC Health Care Board of Directors Dale Jenkins.

“Throughout a long career of public service, he has made an impact on health care nationally,” Jenkins said, “but most importantly, he has elevated health care to new levels here in North Carolina.”

UNC System President Margaret Spellings, who also holds a seat on the health care board of directors, said Roper had brought a “robust vision” to the role.

“Since Dr. Roper arrived at UNC, he has leveraged his expertise, experience and political acumen to guide this institution’s medical program and the state’s health care system into the 21st century.”

Officials said UNC and the health care system “soon will begin a national search for his successor.”

 

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