November 20, 2000

Steven Strongwater was named director of John Dempsey Hospital at the Board of Trustees meeting held last week in Stamford. The appointment was announced by Peter J. Deckers, executive vice-president for health affairs at the Health Center. Strongwater was also named director of clinical operations.

"Since his arrival here at the Health Center in 1996, Steve has worked to improve faculty governance, clinical resource management, patient safety and outcomes," said Deckers. "He is committed to quality and performance improvement, as well as improved patient satisfaction and employee morale."

Strongwater said, "I am looking forward to tackling the challenges that face university hospitals nationwide - to provide outstanding medical care within a managed care environment and at the same time to be always mindful of the importance of both patient and employee satisfaction. The clinical program development of the new strategic plan will be a very high priority."

Strongwater is responsible for the overall implementation of the clinical Signature Programs, which involve the integration of academic priorities with four key areas, including cancer, brain and human behavior, musculoskeletal, and the Connecticut Health initiative.

Strongwater, who will report to Deckers, is also a professor of medicine, serves as chair of the Health Center Clinical Governance Committee and is the executive director of correctional managed health care at the Health Center. He serves on many committees and professional organizations and has published extensively in professional journals in the field of rheumatology.

Before coming to the Health Center, Strongwater held administrative posts at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester, including associate chief medical officer and medical director of ambulatory care, director of case management, utilization review and clinical resource management. He was also an associate professor of medicine in the division of rheumatology and immunology.

Strongwater graduated with high honors from the University of Rochester, with a degree in biology. He earned his medical degree with honors at the State University of New York, Upstate Medical Center. His postdoctoral training was at the State University of New York and the University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor.

Jane Shaskan