Ann Arbor-based Michigan Medicine is lining up two leadership appointments as it prepares for CEO David Miller’s departure, including an interim system CEO and the return of a president role for its academic medical center.
University of Michigan President Domenico Grasso will recommend Ganesh Palapattu, MD, as interim executive vice president for medical affairs and CEO of Michigan Medicine at the university’s Sept. 17 Board of Regents meeting, according to a Sept. 3 news release.
Julie Ishak, DNP, RN, currently chief nurse and operations executive for University of Michigan Health’s academic medical center, will be recommended as president of the academic medical center. Michigan Medicine said the position is being re-established to oversee the AMC’s strategy and operations.
Pending regents’ approval, both appointments will take effect Sept. 18.
Dr. Palapattu is chair of Michigan Medicine’s department of urology and previously served as chief of urologic oncology. He has more than a decade of leadership experience at the organization.
He plans to serve only on an interim basis and will not seek the permanent position, according to the health system. The university plans to launch a national search for its next executive vice president for medical affairs and Michigan Medicine CEO in the coming weeks.
Dr. Ishak joined Michigan Medicine in 2019 and has more than two decades of experience as a nurse practitioner and healthcare administration leader. Her previous roles span academic and community health systems.
Dr. Miller was appointed as the next president and CEO of Nashville, Tenn.-based Vanderbilt Health, effective Jan. 1. He will also serve as dean of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Dr. Miller became Michigan Medicine CEO in July 2025 after previously serving as executive vice dean for clinical affairs at the University of Michigan Medical School and president of U-M Health.
Dr. Miller will remain with Michigan Medicine through Oct. 2 to support the transition.
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