We shared the news late last week that Dr. Denis Lafreniere has decided to step out of his role as the Medical Director of UConn Medical Group (UMG) to spend more time in his clinical practice of Otolaryngology. He will also continue to serve as both an Associate Dean for the School of Medicine and Division Chief of Otolaryngology. Denis has been a tireless leader for UMG and accomplished much. In a letter to colleagues, Denis wrote of his four-year tenure, “I am proud to say that we have seen significant change in UMG – our expansion into the Outpatient Pavilion and satellite clinics in Storrs, Canton and Southington. UMG has consistently seen more patients each year and expanded our primary care base, most recently with a new Family Medicine clinic.”
Going forward we will be replacing the UMG Medical Director role with a UMG Chief Executive Officer (UMG CEO) position. Toward this end we have opened a national search for an MD with business credentials and experience, who will have a full-time focus on operational and strategic leadership of the faculty practice. Denis will continue in his Medical Director role until the UMG CEO is hired.
Those who know Denis won’t be surprised that although he is stepping away from his role as UMG Medical Director, he will still be very busy on behalf of UMG. In addition to the roles already mentioned, he will continue to have involvement in the Clinical Council, the roll out of UConn Health ONE and the PTN project. In addition, he has agreed to spend 10 percent of his time serving in the role of “UMG Physician Liaison” which will support the efforts of the new UMG CEO. As Denis wrote in his letter, “Although I will miss working with all of you as the Medical Director, I truly believe this is the right time for me to focus more on my primary passion – otolaryngology – while still contributing to the School of Medicine and helping UMG and its new leader when that person is selected. Fortunately, in the role of UMG Physician Liaison I will still serve on the UMG senior leadership team and therefore will interact with all of you frequently on the journey ahead.”
Andrew Agwunobi, M.D., M.B.A.
Chief Executive Officer, UConn Health
Executive Vice President for Health Affairs