Portland, Ore.

The Oregon Health & Science University Medical Group recently elected dermatology chairman Neil Swanson, M.D., president. He succeeds Paul Kirk, M.D., the group's founding president and a professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the OHSU School of Medicine.

Swanson is chairman and professor of dermatology, and professor of otolaryngology/head and neck surgery in the OHSU School of Medicine. Prior to joining OHSU in 1989, Swanson directed the surgical unit and Multidisciplinary Melanoma program at the University of Michigan.

As president of OHSU Medical Group, Swanson will oversee and direct the group's business, financial, and clinical administrative activities. He will be a key liaison between the OHSU Medical Group, OHSU Hospital and OHSU Administration. Swanson will report directly to the medical group's executive committee and board of directors.

"Neil has an excellent understanding of both local and national physician trends and issues that will affect the medical group," said Tom Heckler, chief executive officer, OHSU Medical Group. "We are delighted to have him leading our team through the group's next phase of growth and development, including the clinical activity in South Waterfront."

The OHSU Medical Group, a 501(c)3 with independent governance from the OHSU public corporation, is a 700-plus physician group practice. All OHSU physicians on faculty in clinical departments are part of OHSU Medical Group. Physicians from OHSU Medical Group comprise two-thirds of OHSU practicing physicians and provide more than 80 percent of OHSU's patient care.

"The physicians within OHSU Medical Group are a critical component of our patient care services at OHSU," said OHSU President Peter O. Kohler, M.D. "We are pleased that OHSU Medical Group has selected another strong physician leader as president and we look forward to working with Neil in the coming years."

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