Change in Leadership at UNM Health Sciences Center – Dr. Douglas Ziedonis Out, Dr. Mike Richards In?
Breaking News
The Candle received a copy of a letter circulating through the University of New Mexico email system indicating that there is a major change afoot in the leadership of the University’s Health Sciences Center, which also oversees the UNM Hospital system.
According to the letter, UNM President Garnett Stokes replaced Dr. Douglas Ziedonis with Dr. Mike Richards, who has apparently already taken over the position of Executive Vice President for Health Sciences and as CEO of the UNM Health System on an interim basis.
Dr. Ziedonis is on “professional leave” until his appointment concludes in December.
No details have been provided as to the why Stokes replaced Ziedonis, other than for “strategic” purposes.
The Candle reached out to the media representatives at UNM and UNM HSC, but so far there has been no confirmation nor statement regarding the letter.
A member of the legislature, confirming they had received word about Ziedonis’ replacement Tuesday afternoon from another colleague who is close to the UNM community, expressed surprise at the sudden change.
The Candle will update this story as more information becomes available.
A copy of the announcement is below:
