Martha H. Marsh, a health-care executive with an established track record in developing and managing hospitals, physician practices and health plans, will take over the top job at UC Davis Medical Center, Chancellor Larry N. Vanderhoef announced today. Marsh, who was senior vice president for professional services and managed care at University of Pennsylvania Health System, will assume her new responsibilities on July 12 as director of hospital and clinics at UC Davis Medical Center and chief operating officer at UC Davis Health System. "To a person among those who know her, Ms. Marsh is respected for her ability to provide informed leadership in challenging times and, most importantly, to deliver results," said Vanderhoef. "She brings us breadth of experience in both academic medicine and managed care, along with a consensus-building management style that will serve us well at UC Davis." Marsh was selected for the position after an extensive national search conducted by a committee of 13 faculty, administrators and community leaders. In addition, more than 70 individuals -- from inside and outside the university, including many members of the Sacramento community -- participated in the selection process and interviewed the candidates, according to Robert D. Grey, provost and executive vice chancellor at UC Davis. "This search was one of the most inclusive we've ever conducted. Because the medical center plays such an important public-service role in this region, we felt it was especially important to include community leadership in the search process," said Grey, whose responsibilities include serving as governing body of UC Davis Medical Center. "Ms. Marsh is an extraordinarily talented and experienced executive who has demonstrated a clear commitment to community service, as well as academic and clinical medicine." Marsh says she is eager to begin her new role at UC Davis. "I am very excited about the prospect of working with UC Davis Health System and helping to further its mission of providing the highest quality health care, education and research in the region," said Marsh. "My family and I are looking forward to moving to the area and contributing to the high quality of life this community represents." Marsh will be responsible for overall management of UC Davis Medical Center's 460-bed, acute-care hospital and all its affiliated outpatient centers, including a primary care network of physician practices in 16 Northern California communities. She also will oversee operations of the entire UC Davis Health System, an organization encompassing the medical center, the UC Davis School of Medicine and the physician group known as UC Davis Medical Group. She replaces Frank Loge, who left the post Dec. 1 after resigning last July. School of Medicine Dean Joseph Silva, who also is chief executive officer of UC Davis Health System, said he is pleased to have such a well-qualified and highly regarded leader joining the management team. "She has a wonderful blend of experience," said Silva. "Having been vice president of a first-rate academic health system, she has an excellent understanding of academic medicine. In addition, she has experience with health plans and community hospitals. These achievements and her vision will help ensure the success of our academic programs." At the University of Pennsylvania Health System, Marsh was responsible for managing faculty and physician practices, developing managed-care systems and establishing a network of multispecialty satellite clinics. The University of Pennsylvania Health System has over $2 billion in annual revenues, four owned hospitals, five affiliated hospitals, more than 265 primary care physicians and more than 800 specialists. It is ranked second nationally in NIH funding for medical research. Before joining the University of Pennsylvania in 1994, Marsh was president and chief executive officer of Matthew Thornton Health Plan in Nashua, N.H. During her eight years there she strengthened the financial performance of the organization, reduced price increases to employers, negotiated a merger with Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, and introduced multiple new products to the market including point-of-service plans, self-funded plans and indemnity plans for out-of-area residents. At Elliot Hospital in Manchester, N.H., a 300-bed, not-for-profit community hospital, she held the positions of senior vice president and chief operating officer (1985-1986), vice president for professional services (1982-1985), director of planning (1980-1982), and management consultant (1979-1980). From 1975 to 1978 she was a senior analyst at Arthur Andersen & Company in New York, N.Y. At Columbia University, Marsh earned an M.P.H. in health administration in 1977 and an M.B.A. in accounting in 1975. She earned a B.A. in history at University of Rochester in 1971. Her husband, David, and two sons, Aaron and Gregory, say they are looking forward to moving to the region. Editor's Note: A photo of Marsh may be obtained electronically by contacting Amy Rafferty, (530) 752-9836, aerafferty@ucdavis.edu. Media contacts: -- Maril Stratton, News Service, (530) 752-9844, mrstratton@ucdavis.edu -- Bonnie Hyatt, Health System News Service, (916) 734-9045, blhyatt@ucdavis.edu