A national search for a new leader at UConn Health culminated with the announcement of a familiar face Wednesday.
Dr. Andrew Agwunobi, who led the health system from 2014 to 2022 before taking a job in the private sector, will begin as new CEO starting Friday.
Agwunobi is a pediatrician with an MBA from Stanford Business School who also served as interim president of the University of 海角换妻 in 2021 and 2022.
鈥淚 feel like I鈥檝e been on a two-year sabbatical and I鈥檓 back again,鈥� he said.
In 2022, Agwunobi announced he was leaving the school . On Wednesday, he said he was 鈥渉onored to return to an organization that I deeply care for鈥� and that he looks forward to working with 鈥渟takeholders here at UConn Health, the university and the state鈥� to advance UConn Health鈥檚 mission.
鈥淚 believe in the clinical care we provide to the people of 海角换妻,鈥� Agwunobi said. 鈥淚 believe in the research, I believe in the education.鈥�
UConn officials initially selected a pool of 20 candidates for the position before narrowing the search to four people. All of those candidates interviewed with Gov. Ned Lamont and other state officials, UConn President Radenka Maric said.
鈥淚鈥檓 thrilled that Andy was available and that he was interested,鈥� Maric said. 鈥淗is deep knowledge of UConn Health and the broader university makes him the perfect leader.鈥�
Agwunobi was interim president of the University of 海角换妻 following the .
Agwunobi returns amid declining federal pandemic aid and questions about the financial stability of UConn Health.
While officials say clinical care revenues are up and state aid has declined over the last decade, earlier this year, UConn leadership cited potential budget shortfalls as they asked .
The state and UConn have also hired a consultant to review the system鈥檚 finances in order to help ensure its fiscal sustainability.
Officials said the review by Cain Brothers, an advising firm, was not yet finalized, but Lamont referenced the report Wednesday.
鈥淭hey鈥檝e come, taken a little look about UConn and they have a report,鈥� Lamont said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 going to be up to Andy and the team, in terms of how they want to proceed.鈥�
The health system鈥檚 interim CEO, Dr. Bruce Liang, will continue as dean of the School of Medicine, the school said in a statement.
