Lester Aron will take over as senior vice president and general counsel of the embattled University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey on May 21.
He replaces Vivian Sanks King, who resigned in late 2005 amid questions about her role in the cover-up of Medicare and Medicaid fraud at the state-owned medical school’s University Hospital in Newark.
Aron is currently a member of Sills Cummis Epstein & Gross, where he is co-chairman of the firm’s employment and labor practice group. He has represented companies, not-for-profits and public entities on employment issues in his more than 25 years as an attorney.
UMDNJ has been operating under the oversight of a federal monitor since 2005 to avert criminal prosecution for healthcare fraud. Officials heralded the hiring of new leadership for the legal department at the medical school. “By working collaboratively with the federal monitor, we have identified a talented and dedicated legal professional for our management team to ensure … reforms will continue and flourish,” said Board Chairman Robert Del Tufo in a news release. -- by Cinda Becker
