University of Michigan Health-West announces new president

Ronald Grifka, M.D., to lead U-M Health’s west Michigan operations

10:00 AM

Author | Mary Masson

University of Michigan Health-West campus

University of Michigan Health announced today that Ronald Grifka, M.D., will be the new president of University of Michigan Health-West.

Grifka replaces Peter Hahn, M.D., M.B.A. in the role. Hahn has decided to resign from his position, announcing last week he would be pursuing other opportunities.

Grifka will lead UM Health-West in serving Grand Rapids area patients as part of U-M Health’s statewide network of care that delivers the right care at the right time, close to home.

Ronald Grifka, M.D.
Grifka

Grifka has served as chief medical officer for UM Health-West since 2019.

“Ron is widely respected for his commitment to quality and safety, his relationship with the medical staff, and his visibility and communication with patients and staff,” said Marschall S. Runge, M.D., Ph.D., CEO of Michigan Medicine, dean of the U-M Medical School and executive vice president for medical affairs at the University of Michigan.

Steve Van Andel, chair of UM Health-West said, “We believe Ron’s leadership will provide a smooth transition and be important to continuing the positive momentum that has been established clinically, operationally and culturally at UM Health-West.”

Grifka will begin in his new role on Sept. 9 and reports to Margaret Dimond, Ph.D., the newly named president of regional operations for U-M Health.

“We are thrilled to have Ron step into the role of president. Ron was one of the first people to drive the integration between U-M Health and West, establishing a pediatric cardiology clinic in west Michigan, where he still sees patients today,” Dimond said.

The regional health system includes the UM Health-West’s 208-bed hospital and Sparrow’s 573-bed main hospital plus five community hospitals, totaling approximately 11,000 employees. These operations are part of the U-M Health network, which is now a $7.8 billion revenue enterprise with 46,000 employees and 1.3 million patients served annually.

Runge expressed gratitude to Hahn for his contributions and service. Hahn joined UM Health-West when it was still Metro Health as chief medical officer in 2016. He was named president and CEO in 2018.

Grifka will lead UM Health-West as it prioritizes expansion of its cardiovascular services, cancer, neurosciences, orthopedics and sports medicine.

About Michigan Medicine and University of Michigan Health

At Michigan Medicine, we advance health to serve Michigan and the world. We pursue excellence every day in our 11 hospitals and hundreds of clinics statewide, as well as educate the next generation of physicians, health professionals and scientists in our U-M Medical School.

Michigan Medicine includes U-M Medical School and University of Michigan Health, which includes the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital, University Hospital, the Frankel Cardiovascular Center, Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan Health-West, University of Michigan Health-Sparrow and the Rogel Cancer Center. The U-M Medical School is one of the nation's biomedical research powerhouses, with total research awards of more than $777 million. More information is available at michiganmedicine.org
Media Contact Public Relations

Department of Communication at Michigan Medicine

[email protected]

734-764-2220

Related
News Release
Mercy Health, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, Michigan Medicine form Cancer Network of West Michigan
A new initiative to integrate cancer care services in West Michigan will soon give patients broader access to advanced, state-of-the-art, comprehensive diagnosis, treatment and support across leading health care institutions.
Featured News & Stories two pictures side by side one in virtual reality going over beam and the other of the person in real life doing it with VR technology
Health Lab
Using virtual reality for stroke rehabilitation
Researchers at University of Michigan Health are using virtual reality technology to aid in mirror therapy physical therapy routines for stroke survivors.
 Minding Memory with a microphone and a shadow of a microphone on a blue background
Minding Memory
Understanding Dementia Risk Factors with Helen C. Kales, MD
In this episode, Matt & Lauren have the unique opportunity to talk with Dr. Helen C. Kales, a geriatric psychologist and health services researcher who has participated in the previous Lancet Commissions on Dementia Prevention, Intervention and Care – including the most recent one released in 2024. Dr. Kales discusses how the commission puts together all the evidence to make recommendations that can play a crucial role in dementia prevention. Dr. Kales is the Chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Joe P. Tupin Professor of Psychiatry at the University of California at Davis and has dedicated much of her career to improving the lives of patients living with dementia.
 pink little pig bank listening to money with a stethoscope on a black table
Health Lab
National Diabetes Prevention Program saves costs for enrollees
The National Diabetes Prevention Program was created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2010 to offer an effective way to help prevent type 2 diabetes. U-M researchers evaluated the uptake and outcomes of the National DPP and found that enrollees saved in medical costs and had a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
 vial going into area full of vials with purple yellow and blue tops
Health Lab
First-of-its-kind blood test for head and neck cancer
A Michigan Medicine lab has begun providing a first-of-its-kind new cancer test. Developed at the University of Michigan, MyHPVscore is a highly accurate blood test that can detect HPV-related head and neck cancer by measuring fragments of tumor DNA in a patient’s bloodstream.
 drawing of doctor with question mark about head with patient questioning and stressed over paperwork in exam room
Health Lab
People find medical test results hard to understand, increasing overall worry
In a published research letter in JAMA, researchers tested whether people could understand standard pathology reports and whether a patient-centered report might improve understanding.
 woman on left smiling and house on right painted white with greenery
Health Lab
Preserving an artist’s vision after diabetic retinal disease
Kim Hartman is an artist with Type 1 diabetes. She started developing vision problems and doctors at Michigan Medicine helped her slow the vision loss and manage it.