The University of Miami Board of Trustees has unanimously appointed Dr. Dipen J. Parekh as the new Chief Executive Officer of UHealth and Executive Vice President for Health Affairs at the University of Miami, effective immediately. A globally recognized urologic oncologist, healthcare innovator, and distinguished leader in academic medicine, Dr. Parekh has served as Chief Operating Officer of the University of Miami Health System since 2020. Together with University President Joseph J. Echevarria, he has been instrumental in orchestrating UHealth’s impressive transformation over the past five years.
“Dipen has been central to every phase of UHealth’s evolution into one of the nation’s premier academic medical centers,” said President Echevarria. “He understands our mission in its entirety—from the operating room to the classroom to the boardroom. He exemplifies the excellence we aim to provide to our patients, our students, and our community.”
Stuart Miller, Chair of the UHealth Board of Directors, elaborated on the appointment during the University’s Board of Trustees Annual Meeting on May 30. “As Joe assumed the role of University President last year, Dipen’s combination of talent, expertise, academic background, and relentless work ethic made him the clear choice to lead UHealth. Joe will remain President of both the University and UHealth, while Dipen will apply his vast experience as a surgeon, clinical leader, and National Cancer Institute-funded scientist—having authored over 200 peer-reviewed publications—to lead our esteemed faculty and clinicians. He will also play a critical role in strengthening our vital partnership with the Jackson Health System.”
Dr. Parekh’s leadership as Chief Operating Officer of UHealth has been marked by notable achievements. In 2021, he was appointed Executive Dean for Clinical Affairs at the Miller School of Medicine, where he has fostered greater synergy between the academic and clinical missions of the university. He is deeply committed to positioning UHealth at the forefront of innovative, effective treatments aimed at enhancing health outcomes in South Florida and beyond. His leadership and accomplishments have garnered national acclaim, including being named one of Becker’s Hospital Review’s top 60 academic health system COOs to know in 2024.
Dr. Parekh joined the University of Miami in 2012 as Chair of the Department of Urology. His first system-wide administrative appointment came in 2017 when he was named Chief Clinical Officer, a role he held through 2020. He currently holds the title of endowed professor of urology and is the founding director of the Desai Sethi Urology Institute.
A pioneer in academic medicine, Dr. Parekh led a landmark clinical trial published in The Lancet in 2018 that confirmed the effectiveness of robotic-assisted surgery for bladder cancer. His expertise is further recognized through membership in prestigious organizations, including the Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine of Florida (ASEMFL), the American Association of Genitourinary Surgeons, and the Clinical Society of Genitourinary Surgeons.
With over 6,000 robotic urologic cancer surgeries performed, Dr. Parekh is among the most experienced surgeons in his field worldwide. Despite his expanded leadership responsibilities, he will continue to treat patients, maintaining his close connection to clinical practice.
“Dipen has not only overseen UHealth’s operations with exceptional skill, but has also articulated a forward-thinking strategy while fostering a culture of continuous improvement,” said Manny Kadre, Chair of the University of Miami Board. “Dr. Parekh and President Echevarria form a dynamic, effective leadership team that enjoys the full confidence and support of the Board as they guide our health system and serve our broader community.”
In accepting his new role, Dr. Parekh expressed deep appreciation and enthusiasm. “I am profoundly honored by the trust placed in me and invigorated by the opportunity to help advance our shared mission—delivering world-class care, conducting groundbreaking research, and providing transformative education. I look forward to working with our exceptional faculty, staff, and key partner, the Jackson Health System, to lead UHealth into its next chapter—a future shaped by collaboration, compassion, and an ambitious vision for academic medicine.”
1 Comment
pien2j