At the end of June, Tom Jackiewicz, MPH, senior vice president and CEO of Keck Medicine of USC, will be stepping down from his position in order to serve as president of the University of Chicago Medical Center and COO of UChicago Medicine health system.

In a memo issued on May 28 announcing his departure, USC President Carol Folt, PhD, noted that Jackiewicz has lent his wisdom, experience and capability to Keck Medicine since 2012. In the eight years since, the health system has seen its most significant growth in revenue, geographic footprint and reputation. His strong partnership with leadership at the Keck School of Medicine of USC has bolstered collaboration and training between faculty, students, researchers and clinicians, Folt wrote.

Rod Hanners, COO of Keck Medicine and CEO of Keck Medical Center of USC will step in as interim CEO while the university conducts a national hiring search.

Jackiewicz said in a memo released May 28, “Rod is the operational bedrock of Keck Medicine of USC and a visionary leader in his own right. He will have the full support of the university, which is committed to supporting Keck Medicine of USC as a dominant provider-of-choice in the region and beyond.”

He later added, “I am very proud of what we have accomplished together in these past nine years. Our organization has grown to become the dominant health care provider for Southern California and a destination for advanced medical care for patients from around the world.”

Folt said Jackiewicz will be long remembered for his tenacity, originality and commitment to Keck Medicine’s central mission. In his announcement, he expressed appreciation for the capabilities and spirit of staff members throughout the system and offered encouragement.

“You can count on your colleagues and the widespread leadership of this organization to continue doing what’s best for you — our employees — as well as for our patients and the entire community we serve,” Jackiewicz said.

— by Kate Faye