6 things to know about Dr. James Atkinson, newly named president of UCLA Hospital System

James B. Atkinson, MD, has been named the interim associate vice chancellor and president of UCLA Hospital System in Los Angeles.

Here are six things to know about Dr. Atkinson.

1. Dr. Atkinson will serve as interim associate vice chancellor and president of UCLA while the search continues for a replacement for David Feinberg, MD, who was named president and CEO of Danville, Pa.-based Geisinger Health System in February.

2. Dr. Atkinson retired from UCLA in 2014 following a long career with UCLA that began in 1976 with his internship and residency in general surgery.

3. Dr. Atkinson left UCLA in 1981 to complete a pediatric-surgery fellowship at Children's Hospital Los Angeles and USC, where he remained until returning to UCLA in 1995. He held several positions of increasing responsibility with the Department of Surgery and the health system after his return.

4. In 2000, Dr. Atkinson was appointed chief of the division of pediatric surgery.

5. In 2004, Dr. Atkinson became senior medical director and executive director of transition for UCLA Health. While in that position, he oversaw the monumental tasks of completing and opening first Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and then UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica (Calif.).

6. In 2009, Dr. Atkinson took on additional responsibilities of the medical director position at the Santa Monica campus and made a number of contributions to the hospital and medical affairs in this role. He was also responsible for helping implement and strengthen supply chain and capital controls for the health system, and for the growth of academic programs in general and pediatric surgery.