1/13/2004
PITTSBURGH, January 13, 2004 — The Magee-Womens Hospital board of directors honored Irma E. Goertzen at their monthly meeting yesterday for her contributions to women's and infants health. The recognition follows more than a year of planning for Goertzens retirement. March 1 will mark her retirement as president and CEO of Magee-Womens Hospital of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC).
Goertzen will continue as president and CEO of Magee-Womens Health Corporation, the parent of Magee-Womens Research Institute, Magee-Womens Health Foundation, and Magee Womancare International.
Mrs. Goertzens contributions to women's health, not only here in western Pennsylvania, but also across the nation and around the world, will be her lasting legacy, said William Pietragallo II, chairman of the Magee-Womens Hospital board of directors. We thank her for her visionary and passionate leadership that has firmly established Magee-Womens Hospital as the countries leading treatment, training and research center for issues related to the health and well-being of women and infants.
Under Mrs. Goertzens leadership, women's health became a priority at UPMC, said Jeffrey A. Romoff, president of UPMC and Magee board member. Her compassion for women and their infants translated into practical solutions to the health care challenges they face. The region should be proud of her accomplishments.
Romoff explained that the succession planning process has been completed and a national search will be conducted for a replacement for Goertzen, 71. The Magee board of directors announced the appointment of Deborah W. Linhart as interim president and CEO while the search is conducted. Formerly vice president of ambulatory care and strategic development, Linhart joined Magee in 1992.
As Magee CEO since 1989, Goertzens accomplishments include the establishment and growth of Magee-Womens Research Institute, the only academically-affiliated research institute in the country devoted exclusively to health conditions affecting women and infants and Magee Womancare International, which brought higher standards of care and health education to women in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and Hungary. Under her leadership, clinical programs at Magee-Womens Hospital have been strengthened and expanded beyond reproductive health and women's cancers to encompass clinical services that are gender-specific.
Goertzen, who has served on numerous boards locally and nationally, was a 2003 recipient of the Distinguished Daughters of Pennsylvania award from Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell. She also has been recognized with a Tribute to Women Leadership Award from theYWCA in 1994 and an Athena Award in 1999 by the Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce and Athena Foundation. Goertzen received honorary doctorate degrees from Theil College, Greenville Pa., in 2000 and from Chatham College, Pittsburgh, in 1998.
I am pleased that we have been able to do so much, said Goertzen. During my tenure as CEO, the opportunity to make Magee the focal point for positive change in women's and infants health was strongly supported by the hospital board, the medical staff and an outstanding administrative team. I feel honored to have had the opportunities I did here at Magee and in Pittsburgh.