1/5/2004
PITTSBURGH, January 5, 2004 — Judge Robert J. Cindrich of the United States District Court for Western Pennsylvania will step down from that position to join the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) as its chief legal counsel on Feb. 1.
In making this announcement, Jeffrey Romoff, president, UPMC, along with G. Nicholas Beckwith, chair, board of directors, UPMC, expressed their pleasure that Cindrich will be joining UPMCs senior management. Cindrich has been a member of the UPMC board of directors since 1996 and currently chairs its audit committee and serves on its compensation and executive committees.
I have known and respected Judge Cindrich for 25 years through his distinguished career as a practicing attorney, federal court judge and board member, stated Mr. Romoff. He understands and believes in UPMCs mission and vision. This commitment and focus, coupled with his extraordinary knowledge, background and experience in the law, makes him a welcome and important colleague and advisor, Mr. Romoff continued.
We are quite pleased that someone of Judge Cindrich's stature in the community has agreed to accept this position within UPMC and are sure he will continue to help guide and direct the organization with the same vision and commitment he has shown as a board member, stated Mr. Beckwith.
Mr. Beckwith went on to say that Cindrich's board leadership has been exemplary and that he has initiated dialogues on such topics as corporate responsibility and the systems adherence to nationally promulgated guidelines. As audit committee chair he has focused on matters of immediate relevance such as the scope and efficiency of both internal and independent audit procedures as well as on future issues of public policy that will have an impact on the organization.
I leave the court with some sadness but also with great anticipation and excitement for my new role, stated Cindrich. I am eager to join one of the country's leading health care organizations and excited about the opportunity to work with Jeffrey Romoff, who is widely acknowledged as one of the industry's best and most creative CEOs. At UPMC, I will have not only the opportunity to continue my work in the law, but also to participate in the growth and development of this regions largest and strongest economic engine.
President Clinton appointed Cindrich to the court in 1994. Prior to that time, he was active in both private and government practice. His government practice includes serving as chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Reapportionment Commission, 1992-93; United States Attorney, Western Pennsylvania District, 1978-81; and Assistant District Attorney, Allegheny County, 1970-72. While in private practice, he served as defense counsel in business and commercial litigation.
He was a Specialist IV in the United States Army Reserves from 1968-71, after which he was a staff sergeant for the United States Air Force Reserves. He graduated Magna cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 1968.
Cindrich replaces George Huber as UPMCs chief legal counsel who is now serving as senior vice president for corporate relations and regional programming.
UPMC is the largest integrated health care delivery system in Pennsylvania and one of the leading nonprofit medical centers in the country. It is a $4.9 billion, 37,000-employee organization that spans the whole spectrum of health care delivery with its network of 19 tertiary, specialty and community hospitals and 400 outpatient sites and doctors offices. Closely aligned with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences, it is one of the country's top academic medical centers.