Shereef Elnahal, MD, former undersecretary for health at the Department of Veterans Affairs and former CEO of University Hospital in Newark, N.J., has been appointed Portland-based Oregon Health & Science University’s next president.
Chad Paulson, chair of the OHSU board of directors, made the announcement on June 13, according to a news release. The OHSU board of directors will vote on a motion to confirm Dr. Elnahal as the academic health center’s next president during the June 27 board meeting.
“OHSU plays a vital role in the health and well-being of all Oregonians, and its leadership must reflect a vision for excellence and innovation,” Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said in the release. “…Dr. Shereef Elnahal has the experience and accomplishments to usher OHSU into the future and continue leading in health care, education and research.”
OHSU announced on June 5 that Dr. Elnahal was the sole finalist for the president role, following the withdrawal of another candidate. The academic health center had initially planned for two finalists to give separate virtual presentations to the OHSU community. However, after one finalist withdrew, OHSU canceled that person’s presentation, which was scheduled to take place after Dr. Elnahal’s.
Dr. Elnahal served as undersecretary for health at the Department of Veterans Affairs for the Biden administration.
During his tenure as undersecretary, he supported VA researchers focused on toxic exposures, mental health and psychedelic-assisted therapy for veterans with PTSD, according to his biography. He also backed training for more than 122,000 individuals preparing for healthcare roles across 60 clinical disciplines.
At University Hospital, he oversaw improvements in quality and patient safety and played a key role in strengthening the hospital’s financial position, according to his biography.
Dr. Elnahal also previously held roles as commissioner of health for the New Jersey Department of Health and was assistant deputy undersecretary for health for quality, safety and value at the VA.
His appointment comes after OHSU and Portland-based Legacy Health said on May 5 that they mutually agreed to terminate their planned merger.
Steve Stadum currently serves as interim president of OHSU.
