UNC Health CEO and UNC School of Medicine Dean Dr. Wesley Burks announced Tuesday he will be stepping down from that role to focus his efforts on the development of North Carolina Children's Hospital and to spend more time tending to his family and their health needs.
“It has been an incredible honor to lead UNC Health and UNC School of Medicine and to work alongside such dedicated, talented teammates. When I started my career, I never imagined I would end up in this place and in this role, but I can’t think of any better place to conclude my time as CEO and dean,” Burks said.
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Burks began his tenure as CEO and dean in December 2018. In his role he helped expand UNC Health’s impact by adding multiple hospitals, network providers and establish new clinical and educational partnerships across the state with the goal of improving the health and well-being of people in North Carolina.
“He led the health system through some significant issues while ensuring it provided outstanding patient care, increased research, educated more students than ever, and grew to serve countless more North Carolinians with the highest quality care,” said Peter Hans, UNC System president.
Under Burks, UNC Health also announced plans to build North Carolina Children's, the state’s first freestanding children’s hospital in partnership with Duke Health.
Burks' last day will be September 1. Hans appointed Dr. Cristy Page, president of UNC Health Enterprises and chief academic officer, as interim CEO and dean.