Ricardo Azziz Explained

Ricardo Azziz
Principal, SPH Consulting Group
Term Start:2022
Title1:Chief Executive Officer, American Society for Reproductive Medicine
Term Start1:2016
Term End1:2019
Title2:Chief Officer of Academic Health and Hospital Affairs, State University of New York (SUNY) System Administration
Term Start2:2012
Term End2:2015
Order3:1st
Title3:President of Georgia Regents University
Term Start3:2012
Term End3:2015
Successor3:Brooks Keel
Birth Date:5 March 1958
Birth Place:Montevideo, Uruguay
Alma Mater:University of Puerto Rico
Penn State University
Georgetown University,
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Profession:Executive administration, education, bio-medical research, clinical medicine
Module:
Child:yes
Discipline:Higher Education, Academic healthcare
Title4:President of Georgia Health Sciences University
Termend2:2019
Termstart2:2016
Termstart1:2019
Termend1:2021
Term Start4:2010
Term End4:2012
Order4:8th (and last) President of Georgia Health Sciences University
Term Start4:2010
Term End4:2012
Preceded4:Daniel W. Rahn

Ricardo Azziz is a Uruguayan-American higher education and biomedical executive administrator and researcher who serves as Principal of SPH Consulting Group.[1] [2] He also serves as Executive Director of the non-profit Foundation for Research and Education Excellence[3] and Director of the Center for Higher Education Mergers and Acquisitions at the Foundation.[4]

In addition to his medical degree, Azziz obtained master's degrees in Public Health and Business Administration. He served as president of Georgia Regents University (now Augusta University) in the U.S. state of Georgia[5] and was chief executive officer of its health system, Georgia Regents Medical Center (now Augusta University Medical Center).[6] He had faculty and department chair positions at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and University of Alabama at Birmingham, and was in health and hospital administration at the State University of New York.

As of 2019, Azziz has authored more than 500 publications, with a research focus in biomedical sciences, specifically androgen excess disorders in women.[7] He is a recognized expert in female reproductive disorders, particularly androgen excess and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Early life and education

Azziz was born in Montevideo, Uruguay; his father was a nuclear physicist and his mother was an anthropologist, both Ph.D. holders. His family moved to the U.S. when he was two and his early years were spent mostly in Pittsburgh, with frequent "nomadic" excursions with his parents from Uruguay to Puerto Rico to Costa Rica, and back to Puerto Rico to begin his collegiate studies.

Azziz earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Puerto Rico in 1977,[7] [5] in biology and pre-medicine, graduating magna cum laude. He graduated in 1981 from the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine in Hershey. Following an internship and residency in obstetrics and gynecology (ob/gyn) at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C., Azziz completed a fellowship in reproductive endocrinology and infertility at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.[8] Between 1985 and 1987, he was an ob/gyn instructor at Johns Hopkins.

Azziz earned his M.P.H. in 1995[9] from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), and his M.B.A. from there in 2000;[9] he graduated with honors and was inducted into the Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Career

Alabama and Los Angeles: 1987–2010

From 1987 to 2002, Azziz taught at UAB where he served in several positions in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Azziz was Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (CSMC) in Los Angeles, named the "Helping Hand of Los Angeles Chair". He served as director of the Center for Androgen Related Disorders at CSMC.[10] At the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, he was a professor and vice chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.[11]

Georgia: 2010–2015

In March 2010, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) announced that Azziz would be named the eighth president of what was then called the Medical College of Georgia (MCG), USG's health sciences university. Stating that Azziz "stood out [in an] impressive pool of candidates," the Regents envisioned USG "expand[ing] its capacity to educate healthcare professionals to meet state needs".[12] Then-governor of Georgia Sonny Perdue attended a July 10 signing ceremony as Azziz formally assumed the presidency at MCG and also became the CEO and chairman of a new entity, MCG Health Systems, Inc., which brought the university hospitals and clinics under the authority of Azziz via a joint operating agreement.[13] [14]

Azziz drew public scrutiny in August 2010 when he proposed changing the name of MCG to something with "university" in its name,[15] in order to acknowledge that MCG included schools other than medicine.[16] Azziz said that the medical school (Medical College of Georgia) would retain its name, but that the university would have a new name, encompassing all of the colleges (for example, dentistry and nursing).[15] At a cost estimated at nearly US$3 million for the switchover, the new name would be Georgia Health Sciences University (GHSU).[17]

Azziz said in 2011 that Georgia lacked enough medical residency slots, and that Georgia struggled to graduate enough nurses; as such, more residency positions were needed in-state to retain graduates.[18] In 2011, the MCG-affiliated hospitals also changed their names and a new partnership was launched to make more physicians available, help students complete rotations in different specialties, and develop better synergies among partners.[19]

Azziz chaired the Consolidation Working Group to combine Augusta State University and GHSU to become Georgia Regents University (GRU, now Augusta University), which the Regents called "a bold move to create a new university that builds on the strength of two institutions with distinct missions".[20] The USG Regents identified goals for consolidating institutions to "ensure the System has a 21st century structure with the right network of institutions offering the proper range of degrees".[21] In 2012, former Regent William S. Morris III, chairman of Morris Communications, resigned from the GHSU board over the proposed name change, disappointed with Azziz that the word Augusta was not in the name.[22] Characterizing the new name as an affront to the city of Augusta, Morris said of Azziz, "The naming convention you have advocated, and now gained endorsement from the Georgia regents, lacks sensitivity to the enormous community good will that has been cultivated over the years."[22] On January 8, 2013, the Regents approved the consolidation of GHSU and Augusta State University to create Georgia Regents University, and Azziz was selected founding president of the new university.[23] [24]

The joining of a primarily graduate and professional level research university with selective admissions standards and a primarily undergraduate level university was described by regents Chair Philip Wilheit as "one of the most complex consolidations undertaken in [Georgia] ... if not in the country".[25] Azziz delivered a report to the Regents in September 2014, describing progress towards meeting consolidation goals, including increases retention, standards, enrollment, funding and giving, with a 10% decline in administrative costs. Walter Jones reported that "The trickiest 'soft issue' was picking a name because many in the community wanted the city included while Azziz and others feared that would label it a community college instead of a world-class research institute. Azziz "praised the regents [for] shielding him from the public outrage" and "acknowledged that the GRU consolidation process should have been more transparent, especially in explaining the reasons for the merger."[25] A Time magazine report featured the consolidation, with Jon Marcus describing it as the "kind of corporate-style consolidation that is becoming increasingly common not only for public institutions, but also for nonprofit, private ones that can pool their resources for marketing, fundraising, purchasing and information technology in a time of falling budgets".[26] Azziz stated the consolidation had resulted quickly in administrative cost cuts, and that "it is much more costly to maintain all of the moving parts at a small college than at a larger university".[26]

In January 2015, Azziz announced he would step down from his positions effective June 30, 2015.[27] Hank Huckaby, a chancellor, said the decision was voluntary, and Georgia Representative Barbara Sims said Azziz had completed his mission, describing him as a "visionary" adding that "most of the things he initiated will continue".[27] Walter Jones reported that there was community displeasure over the naming controversy. Huckaby said that although the university name change had been a "bitter source of debate", the name would not change.[27] Attending his last meeting in May 2015, Azziz received a standing ovation from the board, and remarked that taking risks does not come easily in public institutions, but must be done.[28] In September of the same year, the Regents voted unanimously to change the name to Augusta University.[29]

During Azziz's 2014 application for the presidency at University of Nevada, Las Vegas, questions were raised about the Augusta name change and other controversies including the proposed cost of a new carport for the president's home (which Azziz said was needed for staging events, but the project was cancelled), and his use of a university bus to transport guests at his niece's wedding (a cost of about $400, which was reimbursed).[30] [31]

Since 2015

After leaving Augusta,[9] Azziz joined the Pullias Center for Higher Education in the Rossier School of Education at the University of Southern California as a visiting scholar.[32]

He served as Chief Officer of Academic Health and Hospital Affairs for the State University of New York (SUNY)[33] until 2019.[7]

Azziz served as the chief executive officer of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) beginning in January 2020 to June 2021.

Memberships and other professional affiliations

Azziz is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons[34] and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.[7] [8] He was a president of the Pennsylvania State College of Medicine Alumni Society.[8]

Azziz helped initiate the creation of an international nonprofit organization, the Androgen Excess and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Society, and in 2002 was named the founding executive director.[35] As of 2019, he served as the senior executive director.[36]

In 2005 Azziz was appointed by then Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to the Independent Citizens Oversight Committee, the regulatory body for the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine. He was appointed in 2017 by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to lead the SUNY Hispanic Leadership Institute,[37] and has advocated for furthering diversity and inclusion in higher education.[38] [39]

Research focus

Azziz is a recognized expert in female reproductive disorders, particularly androgen excess and polycystic ovary syndrome. The NIH has funded his research on androgen excess disorders since 1988. He has generated more than 500 publications, reviews and chapters, and authored or edited numerous textbooks.[8]

Azziz has also published in the area of change management in academe, specifically mergers and consolidations.[33] [40] [41]

Books

Personal life

Azziz married Cindy Beckham and has three children.[5] He is a visual artist, primarily creating pen-and-ink drawings in the surrealist style of the early 20th century,[42] with a published retrospective.[43] His work was exhibited at the Art Department at Georgia Regents University.[44]

Honors and awards

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ricardo Azziz . 2023-09-24 . SPH Consulting Group . en.
  2. Web site: Merger Watch: Opinions on corporate restructuring in higher education . 2023-09-24 . Higher Ed Dive . en-US.
  3. Web site: Who We Are . 2023-09-24 . Foundation for Research & Education Excellence . en.
  4. Web site: CHEMA . 2023-09-24 . Foundation for Research & Education Excellence . en.
  5. Web site: President: At a glance . Georgia Regents University . 2013 . July 16, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131220055817/http://www.gru.edu/president/ataglance.php . December 20, 2013.
  6. News: Houston. Ryan. Dr. Azziz discusses plans, goals for GRU in presidential address. August 7, 2013. April 30, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131004220642/https://www.wrdw.com/news/schools/headlines/More-degree-programs-and-scholarships-headed-to-GRU-205465811.html . October 4, 2013 . WRDW-TV.
  7. ASRM names Dr. Ricardo Azziz as new CEO . American Society for Reproductive Medicine . July 15, 2019 . July 16, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200104031643/https://www.asrm.org/news-and-publications/news-and-research/press-releases-and-bulletins/asrm-names-dr.-ricardo-azziz-as-new-ceo/ . January 4, 2020 .
  8. Web site: Penn State College of Medicine Alumni Update: Dr. Ricardo Azziz Med '81 . Penn State Hershey College of Medicine . August 30, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130915021039/http://www.pennstatehershey.org/web/alumni/home/pennstatecommunicator/azziz . September 15, 2013.
  9. Web site: Ricardo Azziz, MD, MPH, MBA . Azziz, Ricardo . ricardoazziz.com . July 16, 2020.
  10. Cedars-Sinai Endocrine Researchers To Discuss Gene That May Be Linked To Polycystic Ovary Syndrome . Cedars-Sinai . May 31, 2007 . July 17, 2020.
  11. Web site: Faculty Database: Ricardo Azziz, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A. . David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. July 17, 2020.
  12. Dr. Ricardo Azziz Named President of the Medical College of Georgia, Georgia's Health Sciences Univ . University System of Georgia . August 6, 2013 . March 2, 2010.
  13. News: New day for MCG, its leader. July 26, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171030131906/http://chronicle.augusta.com/latest-news/2010-07-01/new-day-mcg-its-leader?page=1 . October 30, 2017. July 1, 2010. Corwin, Tom . The Augusta Chronicle.
  14. News: Corwin. Tom. President takes reins at MCG. August 6, 2013. The Augusta Chronicle . July 2, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131005004223/http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/metro/2010-07-02/president-takes-reins-mcg . October 5, 2013.
  15. News: Brief: New name for MCG draws much scrutiny . Corwin, Tom . Tribune Business News, Washington . August 20, 2010 . The Augusta Chronicle . ProQuest.
  16. News: Board endorses MCG name change. July 17, 2020. The Augusta Chronicle . September 8, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100911050438/http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/health/2010-09-08/board-endorses-mcg-name-change . September 11, 2010 . Corwin, Tom.
  17. News: Old name will linger for MCG . July 17, 2020 . The Augusta Chronicle . January 29, 2011. Holahan, Michael. https://web.archive.org/web/20131116020621/http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/education/2011-01-30/old-name-will-linger-mcg . November 16, 2013 .
  18. News: Higher education: Challenges ail medical education, panel says: More funding, residency slots could curb flight of graduates outside state . Diamond, Laura . The Atlanta Journal - Constitution . August 11, 2011 . B.1 . ProQuest.
  19. News: MCG Hospitals change names. Mirshak. Meg. June 22, 2011. September 11, 2013. The Augusta Chronicle . https://web.archive.org/web/20110625132645/http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/health/2011-06-22/mcg-hospitals-change-names . June 25, 2011.
  20. Web site: Campus Consolidations . University System of Georgia. July 26, 2017.
  21. University System of Georgia . Regents Approve Principles for Consolidation of Institutions . November 8, 2011 . July 17, 2020.
  22. News: Corwin, Tom . William S. Morris III resigns from university board over new name . The Florida Times-Union, Jacksonville. August 13, 2012 . July 17, 2020.
  23. News: Diamond, Laura . Historic vote merges eight Georgia colleges into four . The Atlantic Journal Constitution . January 8, 2013 . October 17, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130112190653/http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local/regents-give-final-ok-to-merge-georgia-colleges/nTqH4/ . January 12, 2013.
  24. Board of Regents finalizes consolidations, appoints presidents. January 8, 2013 . University System of Georgia . July 17, 2020.
  25. Web site: Jones, Walter . Georgia Regents University reports positive trends since merger . Insider Advantage Georgia . September 10, 2014 . October 17, 2014.
  26. News: Cash-Strapped Universities Turn to Corporate-Style Consolidation . Time magazine . Marcus, Jon . July 19, 2013 . July 17, 2020.
  27. News: Azziz June 30 resignation accepted . July 26, 2017 . The Augusta Chronicle . Jones, Walter C. . January 15, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20170802081404/http://chronicle.augusta.com/latest-news/2015-01-15/azziz-june-30-resignation-accepted . August 2, 2017.
  28. Web site: Azziz gets send off from regents . Insider Advantage . Jones, Walter . May 20, 2015 . July 17, 2020.
  29. News: Georgia Regents University renamed Augusta University after simmering protest . The Florida Times Union . Corwin, Tom; Jones, Walter. September 15, 2015. July 18, 2020.
  30. News: After election, vision needed on education . Reno Gazette - Journal; Reno, Nevada . November 16, 2014 . 5 . Proquest . Las Vegas Review-Journal.
  31. News: Georgia Regents president questioned as candidate for Las Vegas job . Davis, Janel . TCA Regional News; Chicago . November 11, 2014 . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Proquest.
  32. News: Ricardo Azziz . Pullias Center for Higher Education. July 26, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170802082418/https://pullias.usc.edu/people/affiliates/ricardo-azziz/ . August 2, 2017.
  33. News: The New York Times . July 16, 2020 . For Some Colleges, the Best Move Is to Merge . Hanc, John . October 10, 2019 .
  34. Web site: Find a Surgeon. American College of Surgeons. July 26, 2017.
  35. Web site: History of the AE-PCOS Society. Androgen Excess and PCOS Society. July 26, 2017.
  36. Web site: About Us: Board. Androgen Excess and PCOS Society. July 17, 2020. October 16, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161016095401/http://www.ae-society.org/sub/about.php#board. dead.
  37. Governor Cuomo Announces Launch of SUNY Hispanic Leadership Institute. The State University of New York. July 26, 2017 . March 25, 2017.
  38. News: Medico latino asumirá nuevos retos como presidente de universidad en Georgia . EFE News Service; Madrid . March 8, 2010 . ProQuest . es . Latin doctor assumes new challenges as president of a university in Georgia . El galeno, que hasta ahora ejercía como profesor de ginecología y obstetricia de la Universidad de California Los Ángeles y como medico y administrador del Centro Medico Cedars-Sinai, destacó además la necesidad de que la comunidad hispana del estado participe en las soluciones y propuestas que ayuden a mejorar el sistema de salud del estado. ‘La diversidad en cuanto al servicio, la diversidad en cuanto a los profesores y la diversidad en cuanto a los estudiantes, porque el país se está volviendo cada vez más diverso y nosotros como colegio que mira hacia el futuro debemos estar preparados para ese futuro’, afirmó el medico..
  39. Web site: Fostering a Climate of Inclusion: What Works. June 24, 2015. INSIGHT Into Diversity. July 26, 2017. Azziz, Ricardo.
  40. What Happens When 2 Colleges Become One. Azziz. Ricardo. May 20, 2013. The Chronicle of Higher Education. July 16, 2020. 0009-5982.
  41. Web site: Presidential Dialogues: Lessons on Effecting Change Academic Impressions. www.academicimpressions.com. July 16, 2020. April 12, 2016.
  42. Web site: New Direction, New Name. Grillo. Jerry. Georgia Trend magazine. September 11, 2013. September 30, 2011.
  43. Book: Azziz, Ricardo. THIS IS NOT A PEAR IN CLEVELAND-Ricardo Azziz 1983–2013 Works on Paper. October 5, 2013. Rusty Fence Productions. 9780989982719. White. Jenna. First.
  44. Web site: Main Gallery: GRU Art Department Faculty Exhibition . Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art. July 26, 2017 . 2014.
  45. Web site: Penn State Hershey College of Medicine Award Recipients. Penn State Hershey College of Medicine. June 7, 2017.
  46. Web site: SRI Awards: The President's Achievement Awards . Society for Reproductive Investigation. July 16, 2020.
  47. Chair of Cedars-Sinai's Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Named To Stem Cell Panel. Cedars-Sinai. September 21, 2006. July 16, 2020.
  48. Web site: Report to the community . 2002 . Cedars-Sinai . July 17, 2020 . 22.
  49. 2011: Web site: 100 Most Influential Georgians . Georgia Trend magazine . January 1, 2011 . Grillo, Jerry. June 7, 2017.
    * 2012: Web site: Georgia's Power List . Georgia Trend magazine. June 7, 2017 . December 30, 2011 . Grillo, Jerry .
    * 2013: Web site: Most Influential Georgians: Georgia's Power List . Georgia Trend magazine . July 16, 2020 . Grillo, Jerry . January 1, 2013.
    * 2014: Web site: 100 Most Influential Georgians . Georgia Trend magazine . July 16, 2020 . Grillo, Jerry . December 30, 2013.
    * 2015: Web site: 100 Most Influential Georgians . Georgia Trend magazine . July 16, 2020 . Kennedy, Karen . December 31, 2014.
  50. Web site: 2014 Alumni Fellow: Ricardo Azziz '81g Med . Penn State University . July 17, 2020.
  51. News: 21 Penn Staters honored with Alumni Fellow Award . Penn State University. June 7, 2017.
  52. Web site: GRU's Dr. Azziz Honored for Women's Health Contributions. September 25, 2014. WJBF-TV. June 7, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150916155815/http://wjbf.com/2014/09/25/grus-dr-azziz-honored-for-womens-health-contributions/ . September 16, 2015.
  53. Web site: 2015 Ricardo Azziz PCOS Challenge Advocacy Leadership Award. PCOS challenge . The National Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association . August 3, 2017.
  54. Ashley Levinson Receives 2016 Ricardo Azziz PCOS Challenge Advocacy Leadership Award. prnewswire.com. August 3, 2017 . September 29, 2016 . PCOS Challenge.
  55. Web site: Awards. Androgen Excess & PCOS Society. August 8, 2017. August 8, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170808040148/http://www.ae-society.org/sub/awards.php. dead.
  56. News: Register. subscription . 2023-09-24 . www.bizjournals.com.
  57. Web site: 2021 UAB Excellence in Business Top 25 . 2023-09-24 . alumni.uab.edu . en.
  58. Web site: Ricardo Azziz, MD, MPH, MBA - 2022 Rise to the Challenge Gala Honoree . 2023-09-24 . pcoschallenge.org.

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