Ad
Featured
Departed UNM Health Sciences chief declines faculty position
Published
Modified
The former leader of the University of New Mexico Health System who was terminated earlier this year has decided not to take a faculty position.
Douglas Ziedonis had been on professional leave from his position as executive vice president for UNM Health Sciences and CEO of UNM Health System following a summer “strategic leadership change” by UNM President Garnett Stokes. His administrative appointment ended earlier this month.
Ziedonis confirmed Monday that he is pursuing other opportunities. The decision means that Ziedonis, who was terminated without cause, has resigned, relinquished a faculty position and will take home his base salary of $777,449 plus benefits for a period of one year.
The developments surrounding the former UNM administrator, who was appointed in December 2020 and received a 3% raise in June, came while UNM Health System works to add hospital staff and expand the UNM School of Medicine.
Mike Richards, who succeeded Ziedonis on an interim basis, spoke about these priorities during a legislative hearing earlier this month ahead of next year’s general session, set to begin Jan. 21.
Ziedonis, a psychiatrist and researcher, said in a statement to the Journal Monday that the decision not to be a professor was made “after careful thought and reflection” and he believes it is “the right step for me at this stage of my career.”
Ziedonis said he is proud of his accomplishments in the health care sector, which came with the help of his team, and expressed gratitude to the “colleagues and communities” who supported his work. His family will remain in New Mexico.
Ziedonis did not respond Monday to specific questions from the Journal about his future or Stokes’ decision.
